When Jessica Walker arrived at Minot Air Force Base in April 2024 with her husband, Master Sergeant Bradley Walker of the 5th Operations Support Squadron (5 OSS), and their four children ages 4, 6, 9, and 12, she brought more than just a military family settling into a new assignment. She brought vision, passion, and a deep commitment to building community.
Jessica quickly became a cornerstone of the Minot AFB homeschooling community, founding and leading the Brilliant Minds Homeschool Group, which would go on to support more than 60 children during her time there. Her leadership, rooted in faith, family, and service, created not just educational opportunities but a sense of belonging for dozens of military families.

Jessica’s journey into homeschool leadership began long before her family set foot in North Dakota. In 2022, while stationed at Keesler AFB, she was approached by the base’s school liaison with an opportunity to start a homeschool group. Despite initial doubts, she accepted the challenge.

“It started as a small group of around 20 kids,” she shared in an interview. “By the time we left Keesler in 2024, we had over 80 children involved.”

Even before arriving at Minot, Jessica was planning a summer STEAM program for the community. Her goal was simple but powerful: to replicate the same sense of connection and support she had built at Keesler.

Jessica understood the isolation that can come with military life, especially in a northern post like Minot. That understanding fueled her efforts to make homeschooling families feel seen, supported, and empowered.

“Minot can be an isolating and lonely base, especially in the winter,” she said. “I wanted to bring a strong sense of community with me.”

Her impact was immediate. What began with a small group quickly grew into a vibrant, welcoming network. By the time Jessica’s spouse received new PCS orders, Brilliant Minds had become a hub of weekly learning, social connection, and encouragement for families from all walks of life.

As a seasoned military spouse with nearly 15 years of experience navigating the ups and downs of service life, Jessica brought an invaluable perspective to her role. She understood the challenges military homeschoolers face, frequent PCS moves, deployment cycles, and the distance from extended family, and knew how to turn those challenges into strengths.
“Homeschooling gives military families flexibility,” she explained. “It helps ease transitions and lets us prioritize family time.”

She emphasized that one of the biggest hurdles for homeschool families is relocating, and she worked hard to help families both arriving and departing Minot make those transitions as smooth as possible.

Jessica’s proudest achievement was watching the group grow from just a few families into a flourishing community explaining that after a week, children arrived eager to learn and connect. “Seeing the kids each Friday morning with smiles on their faces and hearing, ‘Mrs. Jessica, what are we doing today?’ always brought me so much joy,” she recalled.
Under her leadership, the group became more than just a co-op, it became a safe space where children could flourish, and families could find their footing.

Jessica’s influence has shaped the homeschooling landscape at Minot AFB in ways that will continue long after her departure. She believes that what made the program successful wasn’t just the activities, but the relationships.
“My hope is that by creating this group, we created a safe place for children to learn, socialize, and thrive,” she said.
She also noted the unique resilience of military homeschool communities. “These hardships, PCS seasons, deployments, build strength and a desire for closeness that homeschooling can meet in a powerful way.”

With her family now settled at Eglin AFB, Jessica left Minot with deep gratitude and full confidence in the future of the homeschool programs she helped nurture. Leadership of Brilliant Minds has transitioned to Ariel Harwood, while Amanda Hueber now leads Little Antlers, and Jennifer Robson continues to direct the local Classical Conversations group.
Her advice to those stepping into leadership roles is simple: “Stay true to yourself. Do what you love, and that joy will overflow to the students.”

Jessica Walker’s time at Minot AFB may have been temporary, but the impact she made is lasting. Through tireless dedication and genuine care, she transformed a small homeschool group into a thriving, supportive community that will continue to bless families for years to come.

Her parting words, a testament to both humility and hope, reflect not only what she believes, but how she lives: “With hard work and perseverance, you can do anything. Anyone can make a difference.”