The Oddity Cottage was founded and is operated by a very odd woman named Sam. This woman has two children who are already her size or larger who have been secularly homeschooled for most of their lives, a husband, one million plants, and cats.

Sam believes education is the key to success, education should be tailored to the learner, and that education should prepare people to live full, cognizant, and healthy lives. So when she got certified to teach students and found that the public school system left a lot of gaps in knowledge and skill acquisition, she took that personally. Between that, the test-focused nature of traditional classroom education, and the way that unique learners were often ignored and passed along without their needs met — she knew something had to be done. School of Thought was formed in 2018 and has been servicing students with academic and executive functioning tutoring for 7 years. More information about educational services can be found here.

After many years of experience as a recipient of mental health services and then several years as a mental health professional, Sam knows that healing is not a one-size-fits-all concept and access is limited. The socio-emotional and healing-centered activities and products you’ll find are not intended to be a replacement of traditional therapy or medication if those resources have been prescribed by a doctor. Sam is neurodivergent and has been clinically treated for depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD; and every resource put out by The Oddity Cottage has supported her or her children with special needs with positive results. Socio-emotional workshops are coming soon! For more information about products, click here.

Sam also believes taking good care of yourself shouldn’t involve harmful chemicals — in your food, your cleaning products, your medicine, or your toiletries! She believes that the quality of the things you put on and in your body affect your mental and physical health. For the last 6 years, she has been studying the potentials of plants to prevent dietary, sanitary, mental and physical wellness, and body care issues. Sam has become a certified Herbalist, North Carolina Mushroom Forager, and Sylvotherapist. Personalized Herbal Remedy, Transitioning to Herbal Living, and Forest Therapy consultation sessions can be scheduled here. Foraging and forest therapy education activities are coming soon! For more information about products, click here.

Sam finds upcycled art to be therapeutic in nature, because she is taking something discarded and making it beautiful and purposeful. Upcycled art and nature-inspired art can be found here. Art classes and workshops coming soon!