Today we’d like to introduce you to Renea Taylor.
Hi Renea, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have been in education for over 20 years. I began my career as a sixth-grade teacher at an inner-city middle school. I became frustrated with the lack of resources available to assist students who performed below grade level. Taylor Tutoring Services was established out of this frustration. While in the classroom, I felt I was of little assistance to students who were behind academically. State-mandated curriculum frameworks and pacing guides were a hindrance to most of my students. Students, whom due to life’s circumstances were left struggling and discouraged academically. I started Taylor Tutoring Services to assist students (in closing that achievement gap) who were behind. Our program meets students where they are academically and builds skills until students reach grade level.
Our tutors work 1:1 with students on customized lessons based on their needs. As a result, our students have improved grades, increased confidence, and have exhibited immense improvements in behavior. In other words, we have had great success! COVID did not stop our progress or drive. During the pandemic, we were able to pivot and continue offering the same great services virtually. For the past two years, we have increased our virtual customer base and serve just as many students virtually as we do in-person.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have had to overcome many challenges and obstacles in my endeavors to bring affordable supplemental education services to those who struggle academically. As an African American female entrepreneur in a small community, it has been challenging to break social, racial and economic barriers. Additionally, competing against much larger companies to acquire vendor status and become an approved provider for state agencies has its own set of obstacles.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Taylor Tutoring Services provides supplemental education services to students who struggle academically and have difficulty adjusting to the traditional school setting. We work 1:1 with students and have unique reading and math skills-building programs designed to get students to grade level and beyond. Additionally, we offer subject tutoring, and test prep services for SAT/ACT, GED, ASVAB, and PRAXIS. During the summer, we offer Taylor Tutoring Academics Plus. Our summer camp takes a unique approach to learning by incorporating real-life experiences. For example, our art classes are cross-curriculum with science. We used all-natural materials such as leaves and bugs to create tie-dye. Our math classes are math business classes. The students must create a business plan for a lemonade stand. Once the plans are finalized, the students must put their plans into action by creating actual lemonade stands. Once they have reached the break-even point, they get to keep the profit!
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
As a child, my parents instilled faith in God and the value of hard work. They let me know that because of the color of my skin, I would have to work twice as hard and twice as long as others. They reminded me daily that I was enough, that I was beautiful and smart and built to persevere. They stood on the Word of God, reminding us that all things are possible through Christ. They did this for all of their children because they said the world would try to break us and make us believe the opposite. If we knew who we were, In Christ, then no obstacles or barriers (racial, financial or social) could stop us.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.taylortutoringservices.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaylorTutoringServices?mibextid=ZbWKwL
