Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivy Patterson and Skyi Booker.
Hi Ivy Patterson and Skyi Booker, it’s an honor to have you two on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Ivy:
My name is Ivy Patterson, and I have been in the field of education for about 13 years. I took my first job in a rather large school system. From there, I worked in a Title I school, and then moved into the role that I am in today where I serve as an English teacher, Student Government Sponsor, and served as Cheer Coach for several years, and now into this role as an entrepreneur.
My mother is a retired educator who served as a teacher, school principal, and curriculum coordinator for the Talladega City School System in Talladega, AL. My father served on the school board in Talladega, and serves as a pastor and Senior Services Coordinator at the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and the Blind. He is presently on the Talladega City Council, where he has served for more than 30 years.. I can say that my parents had a huge impact on where I am in my life today, and I love and am eternally grateful to them both.
In addition, I have over 8 years of teaching experience and I am a highly qualified/ certified English teacher. I have a Bachelor’s Degree from Alabama A&M University, as well as, certification to teach English. While at Alabama A&M University, I served as a cheerleader and an ambassador for the English Language Arts Department of the school. I received my Master’s degree from Jacksonville State University. This degree is also majoring in Secondary Education with a concentration in English Language Arts. I have also received my Educational Specialist degree in Teacher Leadership from Jacksonville State University. I have a love for learning and it is my mission to help uncover this passion in all my students. In my free time, I enjoy reading, crafting, shopping, and spending time with my loving family.
Skyi:
My name is Skyi Booker. My passion for education goes well beyond the classroom. Growing up in poverty, I knew I had to dedicate my life to help other children get through and to show them there is more. I began working as a teacher’s aid in an urban school system in 2012. From there, I have worked in two Title I schools as a math teacher, teacher leader, and mentor.
I have a bachelor’s in middle school math from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. I also hold a masters in Instructional Technology from Jacksonville State University and an Educational Specialist degree in Instructional Technology from Montevallo University. One way I chose to give back was to work as a teacher mentor for my undergraduate school. I have been a teacher mentor for a little over three years there, as well as, with my school district. My passion for children bleeds into adults because it is the teachers that actually hold the students once they are in their hands. In my spare time, I enjoy reading books on mentorship, hiking, and spending time with loved ones.
Ivy and Skyi:
Divine Essentials was birthed out of a need for students to get extra help with schoolwork, due to the effects that were caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. Out of all of our years in education, we had not seen a decline in student achievement like that caused by the pandemic. There were honor roll students failing in all subjects due to virtual and hybrid learning. Students just could not grasp the material on their own, and many parents did not know how to help; therefore, Divine Essentials Virtual Tutoring Service was born.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Honestly, it was a struggle at first, and we still have our challenges and hills to climb. This was an idea that just came to us separately, and then we put our talents together, along with Judy Langford (our third co-founder), and we were able to create something really special. Some of the struggles came with building any business. You have to follow business protocols, set up a website, get active on social media, and in the community. All of this helps to build clientele. Our website has been highly successful with attracting clients from all over the United States, and even overseas. We began with only one client, but now, we have several. Ivy actually has 2 tutors that work with her in the areas of Science and Elementary Education. We hope that we will keep growing.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Ivy and Skyi:
Divine Essentials believes that educating our youth is at the foundation of building our community. We exist to help all students achieve and have their dreams come to fruition. We take a unique and innovative approach to teaching that helps students connect with the subject matter they need to master. Through personalized and focused teaching processes, our students develop the tools they need for ongoing success. Our students see a 90% grade improvement in the areas of Reading, Math, and Science. Divine Essentials caters to students beginning at the pre-k level- Graduate level. We also offer adult education opportunities. We are an online-based tutoring company, and have clients from all over the United States, and even overseas.
We know that communication is key so we ensure that all stakeholders involved are always connected to what we are doing. We update parents with itineraries, keep progress of the students at school, and much more. We have even emailed teachers to set up conferences to help students get on the right track!
One key aspect to notate is that we don’t just cater to children. We have serviced adult clients in higher education, as well as clients who are taking exams that have reading or math portions such as real estate exams or the Praxis.
- We are 100% Black Owned- We believe that the first thing that sets Divine Essentials apart from other tutorial services is the obvious. We are black owned.
We have had many parents be thankful to get help from highly qualified African American teachers. Since the Divine Essentials Program opened, the program has grown and had great success with its students.
- The owners are highly experienced and qualified educators.- At Divine Essentials, we both have degrees in our specialty areas. We also have other tutors who specialize in their fields as well. Sometimes, at these really large tutoring companies, they use high school and college students just to fill a quota. They may also use tutors who graduated in a totally different area than where they tutor. Just because you were good in finance in school, does not mean that you will have the skills needed to teach math.
Our tutors are the heart, soul, and true essence of who we are. Divine Essentials tutors are trained and certified teachers with almost a decade of teaching experience. Each tutor has her own unique expertise and understands the curriculum—ensuring that any child will be more successful in the classroom. Our tutors also form a partnership with the school and teacher of each student, so parents can feel assured that learning needs are being met.
- Cost- Effective- One thing that we wanted to make sure of at Divine Essentials is that we stay affordable. We want to be an excellent service at an even better price. Many tutoring services charge up to $75 per hour. We charge between $25-$35 per hour. Also, we have small group sessions available to students for as low as $35 and $65 per month. Many times, parents think that our prices are set per week, because they are so low. They are amazed and excited at what we charge per month!
- We cater to each individual student- Many tutoring services take a “one size fits all” approach to tutoring. At Divine Essentials, we really do cater to the needs of each individual student. We change lessons and plans to fit with whatever that student is struggling with at the time. We use the best web 2.0 tools in order to teach our kids, and we are highly successful in the results that we get.
- Curriculum- Both the reading and math departments follow the course curriculum that works best for each student. We do have a core curriculum; however, it is tailored to the needs of each student. We incorporate several digital materials that align with the standards, and core areas of concern.
- ACT Prep- Divine Essentials- ACT Prep has been successful in helping students prepare for the ACT test. With access to over 2500 test questions, a number of prep videos, and over 5 official practice tests, there is no wonder why students feel confident before diving into the ACT.
- Praxis Test Prep- The praxis is a test that teachers must take before they can become certified and highly qualified. At Divine Essentials, we offer Praxis Test Prep in order to give back, and help others achieve their goals of becoming educators.
- Homework Help- Divine Essentials offers some of the best homework help around. Not only do our students get individual sessions each week, they are also held accountable throughout the week. We also do check-ups through email, text messages, and even do online conferences with teachers to make sure that our students are where they need to be in class.
- Communication- Divine Essentials makes sure to keep in constant communication with parents and students in order to make sure that everyone is on the same page. Parents receive updates, progress reports, and other materials in order to make sure their child is successful in the academic program.
- Success- Since Divine Essentials started, many students that have gone through the program have been successful. Divine Essentials has helped more than one student graduate on time. Divine Essentials has also lifted the overall grade point averages of several students, as well as lifted failing grades in all core subjects to A’s and B’s.
How do you define success?
Skyi:
Success is merely a state of mind. Success is all about taking the small actions, consistently, day in and day out, to produce the small results that will accumulate and bring you the big success that you want over the long term. “ You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”– Martin Luther King Jr.
Ivy:
Honestly, I believe that success is what you make of it. Success can come in all different forms. You may be a successful mother or father. You may be
successful in your field, or you may be a successful entrepreneur. No matter what level of success that anyone is at in their lives, it should be celebrated.
Contact Info:
- Email: divineessentialsvts@gmail.com
- Website: www.divinetutoring.com
- Instagram: @divinetutoring
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Divine-Essentials-Virtual-Tutoring-Service-107566734383323
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/divine-essentials-virtual-tutoring-service-moody
Image Credits:
Rodney Williams
