Inspired by nature. Guided by heart.
Kirsten
About Me
I’m Kirsten Rude, founder of Organic Roots Schoolhouse. Before starting this journey, I spent nearly eight years teaching in public schools. I loved my students deeply, but I kept wishing for more for them—more movement, more creativity, more nature, and more room to learn in ways that felt alive. Traditional classrooms, with their rigid schedules and pressures, often seemed to dim the natural spark I saw in children.
So I created something different.
Organic Roots began from a simple belief: children learn best when they are given the opportunity to experience the world, not just learn about it.
Nature has always been at the heart of that. It has a way of slowing us down, sparking curiosity, building confidence, and giving children space to use their whole selves as they learn.
Over the years, Organic Roots has grown, changed, stretched, and taught me plenty of lessons of its own. And now, we're beginning another new chapter.
Organic Roots has moved to a new home at 7794 Gilbert Lane in Brainerd, where we have the opportunity to simplify our program and become deeply rooted again in the things that inspired this school in the first place.
Our new property gives us room to dream about what learning can look like outside of a traditional classroom—more time outdoors, gardens and growing, hands-on projects, practical life skills, exploration, community connections, and simply allowing children the time and space to be curious.
We're also excited about the opportunity to build stronger connections with 4-H and other members of our local community, bringing even more real-world skills, mentorship, and experiences into our children's education.
At Organic Roots, learning happens through exploration, problem-solving, meaningful academics, and hands-on experiences. Children climb, build, create, imagine, ask questions, make mistakes, and follow their curiosities. They gain confidence, resilience, independence, and real-life skills. They move their bodies, learn to regulate their emotions, build meaningful relationships, and are encouraged to grow into exactly who they were created to be.
This season has reminded me that growth doesn't always mean becoming bigger or doing more.
Sometimes growth looks like simplifying.
Slowing down.
Regrounding.
And finding your roots again. 🌿
Organic Roots Schoolhouse is a place where learning grows naturally—rooted in nature, guided with intention, and nurtured with heart.
If this kind of education resonates with your family, I invite you to follow our journey, explore enrollment, and come see what we're growing at our new home.
As Penny Whitehouse said, “Don’t just tell children about the world. Show them.”
