Today we’d like to introduce you to Derrian Fletcher.
Hi Derrian , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my career as a public school teacher 9 years ago, and I’m really thankful for that experience because it taught me so much and helped shape me as an educator. But once my own children entered school, I started feeling pulled in a different direction. I realized how much I wanted to be present in their lives and how important it was to me to have a bigger role in their education, faith, character, and everyday childhood experiences. I took the leap and began homeschooling.
At the same time, I kept seeing more and more families wanting something different too — something smaller, more personal, and more relationship-focused. I never set out thinking, “I’m going to start a school someday,” but the idea just kept growing little by little. A lot of those early conversations happened with my late uncle, Brad Russell. He was one of the first people who truly encouraged me and supported this dream from the beginning. He saw the growing need for different educational opportunities in our area and believed Rock of Arrows could become something meaningful for local families. Sadly, he passed away before he got to see the school open, but his encouragement and support are a big part of what gave me the courage to keep moving forward.
Another huge part of this journey has been my husband, Shane. Starting a school has required a lot of faith, sacrifice, long hours, and stepping into the unknown, and I truly would not have been able to do this without his constant support. He has believed in this vision from the beginning and has made so many sacrifices behind the scenes to help make it possible for our family and our community.
During the planning process, I found the Herzog Schoolbox Program, and that became such a helpful resource in turning all of these ideas into something practical and possible. From there, God just continued opening doors one step at a time.
Now I serve as the Head of Education at Rock of Arrows Christian School, which is a small hybrid Christian school centered around faith, family, community, and hands-on learning. We focus a lot on outdoor learning, life skills, creativity, and giving kids the opportunity to learn in ways that feel meaningful instead of forcing every child into the exact same mold. Some days that looks like gardening, creek days, nature studies, cooking, or community projects just as much as traditional academics.
One of the things I love most is getting to really know the students and families personally. Because we’re small, the relationships matter deeply. We’re able to meet kids where they are, celebrate their strengths, and help build confidence in who God created them to be.
At the heart of everything we do is Jesus. More than anything, I want Rock of Arrows to be a place where children feel safe, loved, encouraged, and excited to learn. Starting this school has stretched me in every possible way, but it’s also been one of the biggest blessings of my life.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Honestly, in the beginning, everything came together so smoothly that it almost felt surreal at times. God provided resources, support, funding, connections, and the right people at exactly the right moments. Every time I worried about how something would work out, another door seemed to open, and that gave me a lot of peace and confidence moving forward.
That doesn’t mean there haven’t been challenges, though. Starting something from the ground up requires a lot of faith, flexibility, and perseverance. There’s always a learning curve when you’re building something new, and balancing the roles of educator, administrator, wife, and mom can be overwhelming at times. But every challenge has also helped me grow and reminded me why I felt called to do this in the first place.
Overall, I truly feel like this journey has been covered in God’s provision from the very beginning, and I’m incredibly grateful for how faithfully He has guided each step.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Rock of Arrows Christian School is a small hybrid Christian school centered around faith, family, and hands-on learning. We intentionally keep things small because I really believe children learn best when they feel known, loved, and supported as individuals.
I think one of the things that sets us apart is that we want learning to feel meaningful and connected to real life. Of course academics matter, but we also care a lot about creativity, life skills, outdoor learning, and giving kids space to grow at their own pace. Some days that looks like nature studies, gardening, cooking, art projects, exploring nature, or learning through experiences instead of just worksheets and textbooks all day.
Because we’re a hybrid school, families are very involved, and I love the sense of community that creates. It feels much more personal and relationship-based, which was something really important to me when starting the school.
What I’m probably most proud of is the atmosphere we’ve created. I wanted Rock of Arrows to feel peaceful, joyful, and welcoming — a place where kids can enjoy being kids while also receiving a strong education rooted in faith. We want students to feel safe asking questions, trying new things, building confidence, and growing into who God created them to be.
At the center of everything we do is Jesus. More than anything, I hope our students leave here knowing they are deeply loved, capable, and created with purpose.
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happiest is really just experiencing life with the people I love. I love making memories with my husband and kids, exploring new places, being outdoors, traveling, laughing together, and finding joy in simple things. I want my children to grow up with rich experiences and a sense of wonder about the world God created around them.
I think that’s also a huge part of why I started Rock of Arrows. I want learning and childhood to feel meaningful, adventurous, and full of joy — not rushed or confined to a desk all day. Whether it’s exploring nature, creating something with their hands, singing together, or just having fun while learning, those are the moments that stick with kids for a lifetime.
More than anything, I just love building a life centered around faith, family, connection, and making memories together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rockofarrowschristianschool.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockofarrowschristianschool/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Rock-of-Arrows-Christian-School/61573132245224/#
