Today we’d like to introduce you to Odeth (odette) Edwards
Hi Odeth (Odette), so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a Jamaican educator who saw the value of expanding my perspective through travel. At the beginning of 2019, I spent 4 months in Austria, teaching and training, went back to Jamaica for a few months, and then to Hong Kong in the summer of 2019. The US had been my de facto home, as I have family here and received all my degrees from US universities. I did not renew my contract in Hong Kong at the end of 2020 because of COVID-19 and the political uncertainties. I returned to the US in Fall 2021 to settle and begin my doctoral studies at Clark Atlanta. While trying to find my niche in education (I knew working in the K-12 space was not for me), I looked at online tutoring platforms. My first client was a young couple with a “Covid Baby,” whom they thought was significantly impacted by the disruption in the regular school system. I started working with her in May 2022 and had remarkable success. It took the mom of my then 3-year-old client to open my eyes to the possibility of a business because I never envisioned being an edupreneur. Today, we are a two-member team working with eight families and thirteen children.
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?
It certainly has not been easy. Teaching comes naturally, but not entrepreneurship. Singlehandedly, I had to learn how to register a business and work through filing taxes, among other administrative tasks. To be honest, I am still learning. Additionally, recruiting suitable people to join the team has been challenging. Fortunately, Ms. Sonya joined the team in 2024, and she has been my biggest blessing. When people hear ‘tutoring,’ they might think of worksheets or homework assistance. We operate differently! The right person understands that we must plan for each client, considering their learning styles and interests. Other challenges are personal; I am a mom of a toddler and a doctoral student. Therefore, I have had to restrict expansion because I will not compromise the quality of what we give to our clients. Finally, as I am nearing the end of my doctoral program and planning for expansion in the latter part of 2025, I have the challenge of securing funding for things like a website and marketing.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a teacher! I have had to learn to say this with my head held high, confidence, and conviction. As a high school student in Jamaica, when I told my counselor that I was going to Teachers’ College, his disappointment was palpable. I was doing well with the options of entering medicine or another more sought-after career at the local universities. I didn’t want to be a teacher. However, I wanted a debt-free start to my adult life. It has been the best mistake.
I am entering my 18th year as an educator with experience working in Jamaica, the USA, Europe, and Asia. My areas of specialization are Geography, Environmental Science, English as a Second Language (ESL), and Early Learning. However, my work has centered on Early Learning and International Education for the last three years. My best education has been outside the classroom, traveling and engaging with different cultures. Therefore, my doctoral research will be a Qualitative Narrative Research investigating how policies affect international students’ perception of degree completion. Along with expanding Voyayer Education, I will continue working in academia, focusing on Global Education.
Gosh, what am I most proud of? It has always been the little things for me. Some include watching “The Sound of Music” on our small Black and White TV in Jamaica and manifesting that I will visit the country where it was filmed, and to have that happen years later has been life-changing. It is having moms tell me that their children now enjoy reading or they are on grade level after working with them for less than a month.
Voyager Education is different – we combine research, experience, preparation, and genuine care for every client. We prepare for each client because every child learns differently. We don’t keep banks of lessons; each session informs the next. Of course, state and school curricula provide the content framework. However, the order and methods of delivery are child-specific.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I have learned throughout my career is the value of honesty, humility, and hard work. Honesty to accept strengths and weaknesses, humility to admit and rectify mistakes, and good old hard work. There are no shortcuts.
Pricing:
- Diagnostic Assessment $60 per hour
- Tutoring $75 per hour (prorated down to 10 mins for very young learners)
- Pricing may vary for clients outside of a 15 mile radius
Contact Info:
- Website: Instagram: theteaching_voyager
- Instagram: Email:voyagereducom@gmail.com
- Facebook: 470-632-6233
