Welcome to Gilah Learning Academy — A Joyful Beginning

From a Spark to a Movement: The Story Behind GLA

Eight months ago, I was freshly postpartum with my third baby, navigating sleepless nights, maternity leave, and that tender in-between season where everything feels a little blurry—but your heart is wide open.

In the middle of it all, my husband and I decided that daycare no longer aligned with our family's goals and values so we removed them overnight and started homeschooling. Not with a detailed plan or perfect Pinterest board—but as a small, brave thought: What if I could give my kids something better?

I started doing the math in my head about all the money we'd save--and what we've already spent--and keeping my kids in a place I no longer felt was safe for them to grow and thrive was no longer making sense. My husband and I decided to make investments in our lifestyle to support our decision to homeschool:

• Started off with a playground for our kids to enjoy for years to come (we calculated that added up to about 2.5 months of daycare expenses!🛝
• Enrolled our kids into various extracurricular activities that they hadn't been able to be exposed to previously. 🎹
• Hired an in-home au pair! We started researching and interviewing every in-home child care option available to us because we knew realistically we weren't in a place for me to quit my job and be a stay-at-home mom (and that's okay). 👩🏽‍🍼
• Turned our basement office into a classroom which later turned my coop classroom! 📚

We had a plan for how we were going to do this and thrive, but had no idea what was to come. My humble homeschool coop started small—just us gathering in my home, building community and learning together.

But as the weeks went on, I saw the deeper need around me. So many moms like me were craving connection, structure, flexibility, and support and like me didn't know all the options that are available to them no matter what their budget is. Then I knew this was bigger than my basement.

So I took the leap. I registered my co-op as a nonprofit with the state, then with the IRS. A few weeks later, we were officially approved—and Gilah Learning Academy was born.

“Gilah” means joy in Hebrew. That word became an anchor for me. Because while this journey has brought its share of joyful breakthroughs, it’s also been filled with challenges, tears, pivots, and doubts—some whispered by others, and many louder in my own mind.

When Dreams & Detours Lead to Purpose

At one point, I was hosting co-op days four times a week while working full-time and building my business. It was too much. Something had to give. Instead of giving up, I pivoted.

Now, I’m bringing GLA online. It’s still a nonprofit. It’s still rooted in community--and now the community that I am trying to reach is much larger. But it’s built for the real lives we’re all living. Lives where moms work, homeschool, dream, and juggle so much more than anyone sees. More importantly, I longed to create a space where moms can thrive and feel supported without judgement.

Gilah Learning Academy Online will offer:
✅ A virtual community space for homeschooling families
✅ Digital resource drops, workshops, and expert Q&As
✅ Curriculum support from real educators for various subjects and learning needs
✅ Local meetups and co-op event funding across the U.S.
✅ Rolling scholarships to support co-ops and families in need of things like child care, school supplies, etc

This isn’t just a co-op. It’s a movement—centered on joy, equity, flexibility, and the belief that you really can homeschool and honor your whole self.

Thank you for being here. Whether you’re just curious, already homeschooling, or figuring it out one day at a time—GLA was created with YOU in mind.

Here’s to building with joy 💛

With grace & grit,
Imani, Founder & CEO of GLA

P.S. Stay tuned for updates, resources, and ways to get involved. And if this story resonates, hit reply—I’d love to hear your why.