Meet Jennifer Couvertier- Lee | Veteran Homeschool Consultant and Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Couvertier- Lee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
I think the most important thing I’ve done as a parent to impact my children is giving them a space to develop outside of traditional, societal norms and education practices. So many people where I come from (The Bronx) never have the opportunity or ability to leave their neighborhoods in effort to be exposed to or experience anything but the poverty and oppression that’s housed them for generations. Homeschooling has allowed me and my children to live life on our own terms, travel when we can and want to, meet folks from all walks of life and learn first hand about all the wonders this Earth has to offer us. It’s given me the opportunity to slow time and intentionally instill the morals, values and character traits I believe are necessary to raise a happy, healthy adult. It’s the best choice I’ve made since becoming a mother.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I never set out to be an educator. I had very different plans for my life. Especially because coming from the hood, you always feel like you’re running against the clock to get out and growing up, educators seemed pretty miserable, overworked and most of all underpaid. I myself am a high school drop out. But who needs a degree to be a pop star? ,
According to my gps, my ticket out was waiting for me via the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Life would have it that I somehow still ended up here just under totally different circumstances. And that’s how I know destiny is real. As a recording artist, my vision was crystal clear. I had a great understanding of the business and I knew (mostly) what it would take to succeed. However, when I embarked on building @homeschoolingthehood – the opposite was true. I didn’t know anyone who had homeschooled before. It was a totally foreign concept. Like with any thing else I was interested in though, I took the initiative to pick up a book.

Once I started reading it- a switch went off- just like in the movies.

Fast forward almost 12 years and my two children have really never been in school.

I’ve consulted with families across the US and as far as Great Britain, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico. I successfully and single-handedly organized a field trip of Bronx babies to visit the prestigious MIT in Boston, Mass, the majority being ten years old or younger. For the last three years I’ve cultivated a dedicated, loyal, loving and impactful community of Black and Brown families in SoCal that have supported @homeschoolingthehood and assure me everyday that the work I do matters and is needed. To gather us all once a year, I created the “STREAMtacular” a stem centered play date on steroids!

This is where I get to know my supporters offline and connect with them one on one. This event has been a game changer for our growth.

Due to our recent growth, I am in process of solidifying @homeschoolingthehood as a leader in inner city transitional schooling resources and independent education community building.

This is after a decade plus of putting in blood, sweat and tear equity.

The pandemic took my brand awareness and visibility to a heightened level since I was contacted by local NY news outlets to share my perspective and shine a light on how homeschool could work for families considering not going back. While having a larger platform to share the message with is wonderful, my workload and income was dependent on folks seeking me out to consult with them on their journey. It was all trading my time for money and unfortunately, it’s not sustainable.

Next year, I will be adding digital resources, courses, masterclass content and maybe even a physical book/curriculum in order to be able to reach the growing homeschool population locally and abroad.

If I could give the reader of this one key in business, it’s to keep going.
You will eventually find “your people”.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ok so I have been here only 3 years and am still getting to know the place but I have some go-to’s that my friends have put me on to. So firstly, I’d tell them to fly into Burbank or Ontario cuz LAX is a perpetual nightmare lol. We’d def hit a comedy show, hopefully catch my girl @sashamerci on stage then we’d go for drinks at The One hotel or Hilton, bc I have friends at both. The Hollywood sign hike is a must, def hit the Hammer museum, maybe a few others, Photoshoot bc duh, Imma photographer and all my friends love it when I capture them (humble brag!) I recently, finally got to eat at Urth cafe so we’re def going there! Maybe we’ll do some horse back riding, a little spa action and if we’re feeling adventurous – a rental car to Vegas for the hell of it!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Definitely want to shout out @imperfectprocess for being a guiding light on my journey when I hit a brick wall mid way and didn’t know where to turn. Her wisdom has given me the confidence to go forth with my mission and message, inspiring others all across the globe.

Shoutout to my new found friendships and sisterhood in LA @imberrydamnit @cocoasarai @briatheoriginal and all the new families joining us @homeschoolingthehood they have been a great source of focus, grounding, accountability and joy for me since moving here.

Also shoutout to my most recent collaborators in community leadership @solefolks and @thinkwattsfoundation
It feels amazing to connect with perfect strangers who see my work and value to the point that they would welcome
@homeschoolingthehood to their long standing communities out here in Cali..
This work requires all hands on deck and wherever I go, my intention is always to make an impact and let the locals know – we all we got!

Website: www.HomeschoolingtheHood.org

Instagram: HomeschoolingtheHood

Youtube: Homeschoolingthehood

Image Credits
Jennifer Couvertier-Lee @toptiercapture