Today we’d like to introduce you to Maiya Fuller-Howard.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Absolutely! Today, I am a proud wife to the sweetest husband and I have two beautiful boys! But my story started in St. Mary’s, Georgia, where I was born and raised. I’m from Camden county, Georgia- so I’m a small town girl at heart. My parents were hard workers and put their all into raising my sister and I, and my upbringing helped shape me into the woman I am today. Growing up as the daughter of a principal and registered nurse, it was instilled in me early on to make my mark on this world and strive for greatness. I’ve always been strong-willed and determined, and I’ve always believed that anything I wanted could be within my reach if I worked towards it. That belief is what fuels my path today. I graduated with my Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education in 2016, and my Master’s in Early Childhood Education in 2018. My teaching journey began in 2016, and I taught upper elementary for 9 years. It was the hardest job, but so rewarding, and each and every student I’ve taught will forever hold space in my heart! I always knew the role of classroom teacher would be temporary for me, though. My work environment became toxic, and pouring into myself and my family became difficult. I felt in my heart that it was time for a change. My role no longer served me!
Initially, my plan was to just go back to school and study another role in the field- and I am doing that. School Librarianship is my new field of study. Librarians play a powerful role in protecting access to information and encouraging people to know, think, and decide for themselves- and I aspire to be one who ensures that every voice, perspective, and piece of history is represented with honesty & integrity. Besides that, I was over being burnt out and was longing for more balance in my life. My little family has shown me just how precious time is, and being more present for them and myself in this season of my and their lives was my main priority, above all else! My plan is to return to work when my children are older. Until then, I’m grateful for this chance to slow down and I’m embracing this chapter of motherhood and wifehood wholeheartedly! I thank my husband for supporting me during this period of transition for our family.
It was never my plan to start a business. The idea randomly came to me one day a few weeks after leaving the classroom, and I honestly just ran with it! I launched my online storefront, Teach Her Chic, in July of this year. What started as a hobby grew into something I now see as part of my purpose. Teach Her Chic provides me with a way to stay connected to a field I’m passionate about while I’m away temporarily, and I love that! Now, I have the privilege of designing resources for educators that make their jobs easier and more enjoyable- each one sprinkled with my own, personal touch to help teachers shine in their classrooms!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge I’ve faced has helped shape me into who I am today! After nearly a decade of teaching, I reached a point of burnout that forced me to take a step back and reevaluate what truly made me happy. Walking away from the classroom was difficult, and I didn’t expect to leave when I did. I had somewhat of a plan, but when I left my position I did so on faith- not knowing exactly what lied ahead. I reached a point where the work I once loved took more from my spirit than it gave. So, I chose to protect my peace and prioritize my family and mental health. That transition period came with a lot of uncertainty, but it also brought me clarity and helped me rediscover who I am, Once I let go of all of the things and people that no longer served me, God began to replace them with peace, more purposeful connections, and opportunities that were more aligned with who I was becoming. It was almost instant, and that is how Teach Her Chic was born! It has become an outlet for me to pour into the field on my own terms. I’ve always been outspoken and a little unconventional. I don’t believe I’ve ever quite fit the mold of what people think a teacher “should” be or how a teacher “should” act- and that’s exactly what my brand represents. It’s about redefining what an educator is. I’ve never been a cookie-cutter individual, and I’ve learned to embrace that. My brand celebrates individuality, confidence, and glam- showing that being true to yourself is its own kind of professionalism.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Teach Her Chic is an educational brand designed to help educators bring style, ease, and inspiration into their classrooms. I create printable and digital resources that are both visually appealing and purposeful. They save teachers time and keep their students engaged. While my brand is known for classroom resources, Teach Her Chic isn’t exclusive to just teachers. I have also designed materials for school counselors and nurses. Most of my products are evergreen and geared toward upper-elementary aged students, but my catalog of resources range from Kindergarten through 12th grade. My prices range from Free to $10, though that is likely to change as I evolve and continue to refine and expand my collection. I’m still in the early stages of building my brand, so I pray that both my product quality and creativity continue to grow! Less than 90 days after launching, Teach Her Chic was ranked in the top 15% of sellers on the Teachers Pay Teachers platform. With sales trending upward each month, this is only the beginning for my brand! I believe what sets my brand apart is the personal touch of each of my resources. Each reflects the heart of a teacher who understands what it’s like being in the classroom- infused with creativity, authenticity, and a touch of glam. At its core, my brand is really about empowerment. It’s proof that you can redefine what it means to be an educator while staying true to yourself!
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I knew I wanted to live in the city at an early age. I honestly always saw myself living here in the Atlanta area! I love how diverse the city is. I love the culture and acceptance of other cultures here, and I love the overall history. One of my absolute favorite things about the city are the spraypainted murals! Unfortunately though, violence is prevalent in certain areas. That upsets me because our streets and public spaces should be safe. There’s so much talent and potential in this city and it hurts to see brilliance overshadowed at times by senseless violence.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/teach-her-chic
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cocoahontas___/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeachHerChic
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@maijanae
Image Credits
Jasmyne Alexis Branden Green
