What is your most treasured accomplishment?

Building DevaSprouts Farms. Gardening had been a part of my life for years, but after my daughter, Devani, was born, that passion grew into something bigger. What started in my backyard became an urban farm, a community education platform, and a lot more pepper plants than any one person probably needs. Along the way, it became a way to share my love of gardening with my daughter and teach other children and families that growing food can happen right in their own backyard. It's been rewarding to watch something I love grow into something that serves others.

What do you do to treat yourself?

Travel and good food. I love exploring new places and finding local restaurants wherever I go. Right now, Vietnamese food has me in a chokehold, so if I disappear for a few hours, there's a good chance I'm somewhere eating pho with a glass of wine and minding my business.

What is one thing you cannot do without?

My sense of purpose and a good calendar. One keeps me grounded and the other keeps my life from falling apart. I try to be intentional about how I spend my time, who I spend it with, and the work I choose to do. If something doesn’t align with my values or contribute to the life I’m trying to build, I’ve learned it’s okay to let it go.

Whether you're heading to a picnic, hiking a local trail, spending the afternoon at the park,
or enjoying a day at the lake, packing nutritious snacks helps keep your energy up and
makes outdoor adventures even more enjoyable.

Try packing:
- Fresh fruit like grapes, berries, apples, or watermelon
- Veggies with hummus
- Whole grain wraps or sandwiches
- Cheese sticks or yogurt
- Mixed nuts or homemade trail mix
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Bananas
- Whole grain crackers with peanut butter
- Roasted chickpeas

Pro Tip: Pack a small trash bag and reusable containers to help leave parks
and trails cleaner than you found them!

Hydration Reminder: Bring more water than you think you'll need!

Research shows that spending time outdoors can help reduce stress, improve mood, encourage physical activity, and strengthen relationships. Take one meal outside, even if it’s just breakfast on the porch, lunch at the park, or dinner in your backyard, enjoy a screen-free meal outside with family, friends, or coworkers. Notice what you see, hear, and appreciate about your surroundings.

Back to school season is full of fresh starts, busy schedules, and big feelings for families and programs alike. 

What better way to kick it off than with an event that brings everyone together? At Curricula Concepts, fun is one of our core values, and we believe learning sticks best when people feel connected and included. Whether you’re dreaming up a back to school kickoff, a family event, a connection building experience, or professional development for your staff, we’re here to help make it happen. We can partner with your program to plan and provide family engagement that feels meaningful for your team and exciting for your families. 

Come see us at the ADE Summit!

We're excited to share that we'll be exhibiting at the ADE Summit this summer — July 14–16 in Hot Springs at the Hot Springs Convention Center. If you're attending, we'd love for you to stop by our booth, say hello, and chat with our team. Come find us!