At Sequoia Grove, Mary Stein has taken on the unique challenge of balancing her role as a Homeschool Teacher (HST) with her position as Community Coordinator. Through her passion for learning and her gift for connecting people, Mary has breathed new life into our Clubs Program, creating opportunities for families to engage and children to grow beyond the classroom.

With her specialization in social-emotional development, Mary has a natural understanding of the needs of those around her. She knew that in order to strengthen the program, she had to start at the source—engaging teachers through her own excitement and clarity about what clubs can be. Mary began by sharing her vision during staff meetings, where her enthusiasm was clear and contagious, even through a screen.

She emphasized that clubs should reflect teachers’ real interests. 

“It allows you to plan and be intentional with your work and students, and if it’s something you are already passionate about, the students will be able to feel that,” Stein explained. “Clubs should be low-stress and FUN for both students and teachers alike!”

By encouraging teachers to create clubs they truly cared about, Mary helped spark a sense of ownership and joy that naturally flowed into the community. “I let the teachers know that you can really make it what you want,” she said. “I wanted to focus on re-excitement and clarity.”

The clubs themselves are designed with flexibility, so students can engage in ways that fit their interests and comfort levels. Mary’s focus has always been on creating a low-pressure environment where students feel connected and seen. 

“That’s the most important thing,” she shared, “I want students to have a place that interests them, where they feel known—because who doesn’t want to be seen? Everyone is invited to the table.”

Many of the clubs in the program meet over Zoom, which can make building community more challenging. Even so, Mary and her colleagues have discovered creative ways to keep students engaged. 

“I am really focused on the touch, hold, play method,” she explained. “I always try to have an activity they can interact with outside of the screen. I’m a big fan of kinesthetic learning.”

From interactive activities to thoughtful discussion prompts, Mary makes sure students feel included and connected. She uses slides to spark conversations about daily life, encourages hands-on learning, and ensures the tone stays positive and welcoming. 

As she puts it, “Learning can and SHOULD be fun. Learning alongside other people builds community.”

Online clubs have proven especially valuable for students who live in remote areas or whose schedules make in-person activities difficult. These clubs are flexible by design—students aren’t tied to just one group and can move between clubs as their interests grow. Still, with the excitement and creativity built into the program, it’s no surprise that students choose to stay and remain active.

When asked how she manages her many roles as a mother, teacher, and organizer, Mary pointed back to the heart of the program: the people it serves.

 “Being in this position really opened my eyes to the behind-the-scenes of what creates a successful program,” she reflected.

 “All the hard work that goes into an event or field trip made me realize that I am a part of something big. It impacts the community, and seeing children recognize each other’s faces at events or field trips is worth everything.”

Mary Stein’s work reminds us that education is about more than academics—it’s about connection, growth, and belonging. 

By making community accessible through flexible, engaging clubs, she has helped students discover joy in learning alongside others while giving families meaningful opportunities to come together.

Her efforts reflect the mission of Sequoia Grove Charter Alliance: to support the whole child and create spaces where every student feels seen, valued, and inspired to thrive.