Family, Community, and Experiential Learning: The Vision Behind Wonder Village

This week, Ivy Slater, host of Her Success Story, chats with her guest, Jenna Williams. The two talk about the power of community, the journey from STEM professional to nonprofit founder, and how innovative experiential learning is transforming the homeschooling experience in Westchester, New York. In this episode, we discuss: How Jenna Williams went from a chemical engineer at the EPA to educator, yoga teacher, and founder of Wonder Village, following a nudge from her late mother to use her talents to help people more directly. What Jenna has learned about building community: showing up, networking, saying yes to other local moms' ideas, and staying flexible so programs can evolve with what families actually want and need. When she noticed that local homeschool families were scattered in small, separate pockets across Westchester, with few opportunities to come together across geography and beliefs, why that convinced her to create Wonder Village. Why she believes parents deserve to see their children's "lightbulb moments" firsthand, and how Wonder Village is designed to bring families together to learn, play, and grow side by side. How the family scouting program grew into one of Wonder Village's most beloved offerings, with mixed-age, mixed-gender groups choosing their own topics—like anatomy—and turning them into creative, project-based activities and peer-led lessons. Jenna Williams is a chemical engineer turned educator, yoga teacher, and founder of Wonder Village Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing enrichment education, experiential learning, and community support for families in Westchester County. Blending her STEM foundation with a passion for teaching and mindfulness, Jenna creates programs that inspire children to learn through hands-on exploration—whether through science, nature-based experiences, cultural programming, or creative enrichment. With years of experience as a yoga teacher, she brings a grounded, heart-centered approach to leadership and learning. Dedicated to inclusive, community-driven education, Jenna's mission is to build spaces where every family feels seen, supported, and deeply connected. Website: https://wondervillage.org/