Teaching with Heart, Living in Community

Ms. Kelly brings empathy, insight, and adaptability to every corner of Mindful Journey Academy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Psychology from Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan and became a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) in 2017, working in both clinic and home-based settings with children on the autism spectrum. Before that, she gained experience in respite care, Sunday school, and home healthcare, and earned her CNA from Horry-Georgetown Technical College.

Born and raised in Saginaw, Michigan, Kelly always knew she wanted to work with children. After moving to Myrtle Beach in 2014, she found her calling in helping children thrive through both structure and understanding. Her journey led her to Mindful Journey Academy after attending a yoga event — and the connection was immediate. She describes the MJA community as "a place that brought peace, purpose, and a mindfulness I didn't know I needed."

Kelly's teaching philosophy centers around making learning joyful and building upon each child's strengths. She helps students grow not only academically but also socially and emotionally, fostering confidence and self-awareness.

At MJA, Kelly plays an invaluable role in observing children who may be struggling and guiding how we can best support them — whether that means helping parents understand their child's needs or helping us, as educators, to grow in our own awareness. She has a gift for seeing what others might miss and offers tools, encouragement, and perspective that strengthen our entire community.

She is deeply adaptable, always lending a hand wherever she's needed — from supporting classrooms, learning how to stain the entire fence, to helping in the office. Her calm, caring presence reminds everyone that mindfulness is not just something we teach — it's something we live.

When not at school, Kelly loves hiking, working outdoors, attending concerts and festivals, and spending time with her three dogs, cat, and extended family. Her favorite travel experience so far has been a paranormal psychology trip to Ireland.

Ms. Jennine Cabrera is excited to join the Mindful Journey Academy faculty for the 2026–2027 school year. She teaches our combined Grades 1–2 class and works with our Grade 8 students. She also leads the Theater in the Common Thread Guild, where students explore storytelling through acting, writing, production, and performance.

Stories and storytelling are at the heart of Jennine's classroom. She believes children of every age benefit from participating in the storytelling process—even those who do not initially enjoy books or reading. Some of her most rewarding teaching experiences have come from connecting reluctant readers with the right stories and watching their confidence and enthusiasm begin to grow.

Jennine holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from St. Joseph's College. She was a Waldorf homeschooling mother for 11 years and homeschooled both of her children from Grade 2 through Grade 12. Her teaching journey began through the cooperative learning communities in which her children participated. After experiencing the joy of teaching other children, she realized that education was a calling she wanted to continue pursuing as her own children grew older.

While living in Virginia Beach, Jennine created a literacy-focused passion project called The Family Book Spot. Through partnerships with churches, libraries, and other community organizations, she connected with public-school and homeschool families through her original Beyond the Story interdisciplinary curriculum. She developed family literacy workshops for parents as well as camps and semester-long classes for students.

Since 2023, Jennine has taught students in Grades 3–6 through Homeschool Out of the Box Co-op and Solstice Hybrid Academy. Her experiences have strengthened her belief that literacy is about more than simply learning to read—it is about helping children connect with ideas, people, history, and the world around them.

Jennine believes a teacher must remain open to meeting children where they are, regardless of their age or current ability. She hopes to help students consider not only what they want to become, but also who they want to be as they grow. She is inspired each day by knowing that a meaningful connection with a child can help that student connect more deeply with learning and, in turn, make the world a better place.

At Mindful Journey Academy, Jennine looks forward to making full use of the school's outdoor environment. She has always believed that children—and adults—need more time outside and that the wisdom of nature is timeless.

Jennine hopes her students will remember the stories they shared and the way she brought those stories to life. She also hopes to create a classroom community in which outgoing students learn to pause and support their more reserved classmates, while quieter students develop the confidence to participate in ways that feel joyful and authentic.

Through the Theater Guild, Jennine brings storytelling beyond the page. Students have opportunities to explore acting, directing, scriptwriting, stage management, sets, props, costumes, sound, and the many forms of teamwork required to bring a production to life. Her goal is to help every child find a meaningful place within the theater community, whether onstage or behind the scenes.

Outside the classroom, Jennine is the proud mother of two teenagers preparing to begin their next educational chapters. She is an avid reader who usually has three or four books underway at once and has a special interest in Civil War history and historical fiction.

Jennine also enjoys indoor and outdoor gardening, painting, traveling, watching sports, singing karaoke, and spending time at the beach. One of her favorite travel memories is taking a cold plunge in the Atlantic Ocean in Iceland with her best friend in November 2023. After dreaming of living near Myrtle Beach for years, she is excited to begin this new chapter of her life.

Ms. Jody Reed brings a beautiful blend of communication, organization, and life experience to Mindful Journey Academy. This year, she is thrilled to be teaching our combined Grades 3–4 class, where she especially looks forward to introducing the children to Flat Stanley and exploring the world together through story, correspondence, and imagination.

Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Pennsylvania, she carries a lifelong love of language, storytelling, and meaningful human connection. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing with a minor in English, a foundation that supports both her teaching and her administrative leadership.

Jody's connection to South Carolina runs deep. She spent ten years in the state during the 1990s, dedicating herself to the care and development of children through work in daycare settings and as a devoted nanny for five years. After returning to Pennsylvania to raise her own children—now successful adults—the call of the Lowcountry remained close to her heart. In 2018, she returned to South Carolina permanently, drawn once again to its warmth, beauty, and sense of belonging.

For the past 16 years, Jody built a successful career in Human Resources, developing strengths in communication, systems, leadership, and relationship-building. Over time, she felt called toward work that felt more rooted in purpose and aligned with her values. That journey led her to Mindful Journey Academy, where she now serves as Marie's Administrative Assistant and supports the school through grants, organization, and family communication.

Jody has a deep love of music, poetry, language, and storytelling, and she delights in helping children bring their creative ideas to life through words. She treasures watching how students interact with one another, how they express themselves, and how relationships naturally unfold in a mindful environment.

A devoted lover of literature, Jody especially enjoys classics such as Of Mice and Men, The Scarlet Letter, and To Kill a Mockingbird. She also loves nonfiction works like In Cold Blood and Random Family, and has a deep appreciation for the writing of Flannery O'Connor.

Outside of school, Jody enjoys traveling, attending festivals, painting, making crafts, writing, and spending time at the beach.

Mr. Josh brings a wonderful mix of creativity, humor, and heart to Mindful Journey Academy. This year, he teaches Grade 5 and the combined Grades 6–7 class as two separate main-lesson classes, and he supports campus safety, helping ensure that each child's needs are noticed and addressed. A true "watcher of the children," Josh quietly observes, listens, and makes sure every child's needs are seen and met — all while bringing a smile to their faces.

Josh also leads the Common Thread Guild, where during the first quarter students focus on Digital Arts — including photography, visual storytelling, design, and development of the school yearbook. Through this work, he helps students discover the joy of creativity and collaboration while building skills that will serve them for life.

Josh holds a Master's degree in Special Education from Grand Canyon University, a Bachelor's in Graphic Design from Coastal Carolina University, and an Associate of Arts from Horry-Georgetown Technical College. His diverse educational background gives him a unique perspective — blending creativity, empathy, and structure in everything he does.

Born and raised in Horry County, Josh brings a blend of southern charm, patience, and genuine care to his teaching. With eight years of instructional guidance experience and a strong foundation in special education, he's committed to creating inclusive spaces where all students can thrive. His approach is rooted in understanding, connection, and laughter — the kind that helps learning sink in naturally.

Outside of school, Josh is an adventurer at heart. He loves fishing, boating, and exploring local history with his wife, Bethany. Together, they've visited more than 20 Caribbean islands — and even said "I do" on the beautiful shores of Turks and Caicos.

Volunteer Extraordinaire | Animal Whisperer | Kindergarten Picasso | Kitchen Connoisseur

Ms. Lexi has a knack for nurturing young minds, honed through her early childhood education program in high school. She's CPR certified and is diving into a 40-hour RBT (ABA) training program, because learning never stops when you're passionate about kids.

Starting as a summer camp assistant in 2023, Lexi fell in love with teaching and the kids at Mindful Journey Academy. Her days are filled with handwork, gardening, creativity, care, and lots of laughs. As a leader of the Stewardship Guild, she helps children learn the joy of caring for animals, gardens, and the land through practical, meaningful work.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised near its bustling heart, Lexi later moved to Goose Creek, South Carolina, where she attended an arts middle and high school. She began college at Converse University but found her true calling at Mindful Journey Academy. "This place is home," she says, and her love for the school shines through in everything she does.

As someone who struggled with the rigidity of public school, Lexi knows firsthand the importance of a natural, interest-driven approach to education. She believes children thrive when their individual needs and passions are at the center of their learning journey.

When Lexi isn't guiding young artists and gardeners, she's creating her own masterpieces. From painting and drawing to making jewelry, her artistic spirit knows no bounds. She's also exploring handwork crafts and cherishes family time, channeling her creativity into making her home a warm and vibrant place.

For Lexi, joining Mindful Journey Academy wasn't just a career move—it was finding her people. She describes the school as a community overflowing with love, where she's discovered family in its truest sense. "There's no place I'd rather be," she says with a heart full of gratitude.

Whether she's cuddling goats, painting dragons with kindergartners, or whipping up a masterpiece in the kitchen at Shine Café, Lexi's days are a perfect blend of creativity and joy!

Mr. David is the steady hands and bright spirit behind much of what makes Mindful Journey Academy run so smoothly. Born in Maryland and raised here in Horry County, David grew up learning the value of hard work, resourcefulness, and faith. His father was a bit of an inventor, and that spark of creativity shines through in David's work every day.

Every single day, David pours his heart into maintaining the grounds, trails, structures, and overall beauty of Wondering Woods Farm. From clearing overgrowth and maintaining winding trails to ensuring our outdoor spaces remain safe, beautiful, and thriving for our children, his tireless dedication keeps our campus magical. From chicken coops and fences to garden beds, swings, slack lines, tool sheds, and so much more—his craftsmanship and patience bring Marie's big ideas to life—though not without a little good-natured teasing first! When new classroom spaces need clearing, he's right there with his trusty tractor, ready to make room for more learning and wonder.

We are deeply grateful for the love and consistency David pours into keeping Wondering Woods Farm safe, beautiful, and thriving. The beauty of our grounds, the care of our trails, the strength of our structures, and the peaceful flow of the farm are all touched by his hands and heart.

A mechanic by trade and a teacher by heart, David now leads two incredible skilled trades programs at Mindful Journey Academy: Forged in the Forest, where students learn the ancient art of blacksmithing, and The Restoration Barn, where they dive into mechanics, tool use, and restoration work. These hands-on programs invite students and community members to work with real tools, solve real problems, and develop practical skills that last a lifetime. Whether they're hammering hot iron into shape or rebuilding an engine, David's students learn craftsmanship, patience, and the deep satisfaction of making something work with their own two hands.

David's resourcefulness and willingness to lend a hand are endless. He helps with animal care and training, supports our building projects, and ensures the farm and school stay safe and beautiful for everyone. Outside of MJA, he owns and operates Casual Clippings LLC, providing lawn and yard care services throughout the community. He also has his own workshop in Aynor and looks after his mother, aunt, and sister—while staying close with his three brothers who also live nearby.

He often says, "God works in mysterious ways," and we see that truth in the way he came to be part of our journey. For years, David has volunteered his time, energy, and heart to help us build the spaces where children learn, play, and grow. Around here, we lovingly call him "David the Gnome"—our wise, talkative, and ever-resourceful friend who never meets a stranger and always leaves things better than he found them.

And for fun—because it's true—David loves to work!