About Us
MELISSA
The POD was founded by Melissa in 2026, which was born from a desire to create a more connected, creative, and nature-filled learning environment for children and families.
Melissa is a mother of five boys and currently homeschools her school-aged children, weaving curiosity, exploration, and hands-on learning into everyday life. In 2006 she earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami School of Business with a minor in English.
In addition to founding The POD, Melissa is the owner of Melissa Ann Photography, where she has photographed hundreds of families throughout Central Florida. Her background in storytelling, community-building, and creativity helped shape the heart behind The POD…a place where children are encouraged to play, create, explore, and grow through meaningful real-world experiences.
Melissa believes childhood should be filled with wonder, movement, imagination, and connection to nature… values that are woven into every class, gathering, and experience at The POD.
HALEY
Haley Bouschet spent 5 years working at a local private school. She worked as a Teacher Assistant in various classrooms across different grade levels and elective subjects. She was also a P.E. Coach for the school. Haley is a certified yoga, pilates, and aqua fitness instructor and teaches weekly classes at a local gym in Clermont, FL.
Haley was homeschooled in both Louisiana and Florida from preschool all the way to high school graduation. Being homeschooled allowed Haley to establish closer relationships with her family, travel to different countries and bring her studies with her, and deepen her faith by prioritizing her beliefs through her education.
Haley is very passionate about the art of homeschooling and is planning to teach her children all the way through as well. She is a wife to Ryan Bouschet and a new mamma to her son, Elliott.
ELLIE
Ellie Creigh is a full time gardener, and local food grower. She is our Garden Club instructor.
She is passionate about everyone having access to fresh, healthy food without having to rely on supply chains.
Ellie owns a company called The Growcery Store, where she installs vegetable gardens in backyards and teaches people how to grow their own food. She is thrilled to help students at The POD learn where their food comes from, and how to grow it.
Jhéanell
Jhéanell Westonberry is a fiction author and the creator of the Plot Pantry. A lifelong reader and storyteller, her debut novella was nominated for Best Novella and she has spent years helping writers build worlds that readers never want to leave. She believes every child has a story worth telling. Junior World Builders is her way of handing that process to the next generation, one town at a time.