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Our Story & Leadership
A husband-and-wife partnership dedicated to redefining early childhood education in Johnson County
Our Founders
Zade Safadi & Deanna Elkadri
At the heart of Birch Learning Academy is a husband-and-wife partnership dedicated to redefining early childhood education. When founders Zade Safadi and Deanna Elkadri envisioned the academy, they wanted to step away from the cold, assembly-line feel of national childcare franchises. They believed families in Johnson County deserved an intimate alternative—a boutique space engineered for families who refuse to compromise on the safety, environment, and academic preparation of their children.
Their marriage brings a rare harmony of modern clinical insights and operational precision to the academy:
Deanna Elkadri
A Healthy, Protective Foundation
Deanna directs the academy's wellness layout and safety standards. Currently completing her advanced degree in nursing, she leverages her active clinical training and pediatric health modules to establish strict, top-tier wellness guidelines and sanitization workflows that far exceed standard center requirements.
Zade Safadi
An Elite Infrastructure
With an MBA from UMKC and an engineering background, Zade structures the business with exceptional reliability. His corporate focus on systems and strategy means the academy operates with institutional stability, protecting teacher-to-child interactions and ensuring long-term excellence.
Birch Learning Academy is our personal commitment to your family. We invite you to experience a micro-academy built on love, structure, and an unyielding standard of quality.
Our Mission & Values
What guides every decision we make
Child-Led Discovery
We follow the child's curiosity, not a rigid script. Every question is an invitation to explore.
Nature as Teacher
The outdoors is our second classroom. Rain, sunshine, and seasons are part of the curriculum.
Partnership with Families
Parents are co-educators. Open communication and transparency build trust that lasts.
Excellence in Education
Degreed teachers, ongoing training, and research-backed practices guide everything we do.
Community Rooted
We're proud Johnson County neighbors, invested in the families and communities we serve.
Our Philosophy
We blend the best of proven approaches: Brightwheel's Experience Curriculum as our structured foundation, instructor-led academic preparation, daily STEM exploration, nature-based learning, and social-emotional development as the foundation for everything else.
Our teachers don't follow a rigid script. They observe, document, and respond to each child's interests — turning a fascination with bugs into a science project, or a love of building into an engineering challenge.
Our Facility
Designed to inspire wonder at every turn
Community Involvement
We partner with Johnson County libraries, local farms, and community gardens. Our families participate in seasonal festivals, charity drives, and neighborhood events — because we're not just in this community, we're part of it.
Ready to See the Birch Difference?
Schedule your private tour today. We can't wait to meet your family.