Kyria Kalata: Empowering Families Through Education and Storytelling

  Kyria’s passion for knowledge took root early, even as dyslexia made every word a mountain to climb. Reading didn’t come easily—it came with frustration, second guesses, and moments that felt like failure. But something in her refused to give up. She read anyway. Slowly. Fiercely. Page by hard-won page, she uncovered not just how to read, but why reading mattered—why understanding mattered. That fight carved something deep in her: empathy for anyone who felt shut out of the world by language.

  As a student, she began tutoring both peers and adults in English as a second language. Watching someone light up when they could finally express a thought, ask a question, or share a story—they were the same sparks she had fought for herself. Her struggle with dyslexia gave her a rare kind of patience, a translator’s heart. It wasn’t just about teaching words—it was about giving people the power to connect. That’s when Kyria knew: her gift wasn’t just literacy. It was helping others find their voice in a world that often talks over them.

  Kyria’s love for teaching started early on, and she had a natural talent for bridging language barriers. One of her earliest experiences in this regard was when she was partnered with a new student at school who didn’t speak much English. Kyria was friendly, helpful, and patient, and she quickly found ways to communicate with her new friend, using simple words and gestures to help her understand. This experience gave Kyria a sense of fulfillment and purpose, and it ignited her passion to help others learn and grow. That early encounter with a non-English-speaking classmate showed Kyria something powerful: learning doesn’t require shared language, just shared humanity. She didn’t wait for an adult to step in—she built the bridge herself. That instinct to translate the world for others would become a cornerstone of her future work.

  In the mid 1980’s, Kyria began tutoring English to a neighboring family from China with a 2-year-old daughter.  She taught them everyday words and phrases, and she loved seeing the progress they made as they started to communicate more confidently in English. Kyria felt a deep sense of satisfaction in helping this family adapt to their new home. It was a fulfilling experience, and it ignited her passion to help others learn and grow. She knew that she had a gift for helping people, and she was determined to use it to make a positive difference in the world.

  In the 5th grade, after reading the book Dear Mr. Henshaw, Kyria set two goals for herself: to read every book in the library and to become a writer. It took her two years to read all the books, except for the adult fiction books (she wasn’t interested in romance and the boring lives of adults). She drawn more to the wonder of science, the logic of math, and the allure of foreign languages like Russian. It was during this time that she discovered the library had books to teach math, science, and even languages like Russian. This discovery opened her eyes to the endless possibilities of learning and inspired her to pursue a lifelong journey of education. That love for books—and what they made possible—would one day lead her to become not just a teacher, but a homeschooling parent crafting a world where learning was limitless.

  Kyria’s homeschooling journey spanned across California, Missouri (twice), Arkansas, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Illinois—each move fueled by her journalism career and an unwavering commitment to her son’s education. Though she first discovered homeschooling as a curious fifth grader watching a TV segment in the 1980s, it wasn’t until her own son faced a broken education system that she took the reins. What began as an act of necessity soon became a calling. In every state, Kyria built a unique learning environment anchored in Charlotte Mason’s love of living books and the critical inquiry of Socratic dialogue. She co-led scouting groups, scavenged free educational kits like a modern-day merchant of curiosity, and found hidden treasures in libraries, nature centers, and local communities. Whether maple tapping in Wisconsin, diving into Missouri’s storytelling heritage, or skating beneath Chicago’s city skyline, learning was never confined to worksheets—it was alive. Her son, often spotted upgrading laptops in coffee shops or playing chess with grandmasters, gained not only academic strength but an unshakable sense of self. Homeschooling, for Kyria, wasn’t just about stepping away from the system—it was about designing a life where learning had no walls and curiosity had no ceiling.

  As a single mom blazing a career through major networks like ABC, CBS, and NBC, Kyria didn’t just tell stories—she chased truth. She balanced deadlines with bedtime stories, chasing breaking news while nurturing a child’s imagination. Kyria spent over a decade working as a TV journalist for major networks across the Midwest, including ABC (Hearst Multi-Media), CBS (O&O), and NBC (O&O), where she honed her skills in storytelling and communication. She approached journalism as a mission: to give voice to the voiceless and help viewers make informed choices in an often confusing world. Whether covering breaking news, human-interest stories, or collaborating with 20/20 and Good Morning America (GMA), she believed the core of her job was to amplify what mattered. But over time, she saw how systems could shape stories—and silence them. That disillusionment didn’t break her—it redirected her. Kyria left broadcast journalism, but never stopped telling the truth. She simply began doing it louder, clearer, and with kids and families who truly needed it. 

  In 2014, Kyria began tutoring young children professionally and was quickly struck by the profound impact it had not only on their lives, but on her own as well. It was through this work that Kyria realized families new to America needed more than just English lessons; they needed a support system to help navigate the complex school system and to better understand the variety of educational options available to them. This realization sparked her vision for The House of Education, a place where families can come for help and guidance as they pursue literacy, education, and traditional family values.

  Kyria’s experience in journalism has been instrumental in shaping her vision for The House of Education, where she is passionate about helping children develop their communication skills and learn the art of storytelling. She understands the power of storytelling and how it can be used to inspire, educate, and connect people from all walks of life. As a result, Kyria is excited to launch a children’s journalism program and a storytellers program, where children can learn and develop their skills in a supportive and creative environment.

  As the founder of The House of Education, Kyria is committed to helping families new to America through language, literacy, and parenting programs. Her diverse background in communications, linguistics, and early education has uniquely prepared her for this role. Kyria has a wealth of professional experience that includes over a decade of working as a TV journalist for various networks across the Midwest. During her time in journalism, she gained a deep understanding of the power of storytelling and communication. In addition to this, Kyria has also excelled in her roles as a regional sales leader/trainer for a Fortune 500 company, as well as a project manager in the medical market research field, where she specialized in rare diseases like Hemophilia.

  Whether she was leading national sales teams, coordinating rare disease studies, or investigating breaking news, Kyria always returned to one question: how do we make learning stick? Her career may have spanned industries, but the thread was always the same—clarity, communication, and connection. Kyria isn’t just an educator. She’s a builder of bridges—between disciplines, between generations, between the heart and the mind. At The House of Education, she invites families not just to catch up with learning—but to fall in love with it.

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