We recently connected with Sharon Samelson Massiatte and have shared our conversation below.
Sharon, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
I am the founder and president of a nonprofit organization – Mobile Education Center for All (MECA). MECA is a mobile tutoring service that helps students who are struggling with chronic absenteeism. Here’s how it started:
I had been teaching for almost ten years – I taught everything from special education to general ed to art, from elementary to high school. Teaching became part of my identity, I fell in love with the job, I fell in love with the kids, it was my whole life. Fast forward to 2023 – my husband and I welcomed our first children together – twin daughters. I survived the end of the school year after returning from maternity leave and spent the summer caring for my girls. I even went back to work at the start of the next school year, but we quickly realized how unfeasible and financially straining it was for someone else to be caring for our daughters, and daycare would be entirely too expensive. So, I made the the hardest decision of my life and resigned from teaching before Thanksgiving break even hit.
I had been working since I was 14 years old. I didn’t know how to not work. This was the first time in my life that I didn’t have a job; the first time that I was a stay-at-home-mom, and the first time that I felt both joy and complete sadness all at once. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely am grateful for the ability to raise my children and be there for all the events and shows and games and milestones – but something great was missing and left such an enormous hole in my heart. I was battling post partum depression on top of having an identity crisis, and I just didn’t know how to pull myself out of it. Everything felt like I was living for the sake of everyone around me and I lost my purpose. The titles “mom” and “wife” are two that I hold so honorably and in the highest regard, but my title of “Ms. S” was missed so deeply.
It wasn’t until the next summer when my husband, who also works in nonprofit (he works with families who have children battling childhood cancer), called to ask if I’d be willing to help tutor a sibling of one of the kids he works with. This child was failing classes because he would have to be pulled from school when his brother had appts and chemo sessions since the family only had one vehicle. Of course there was no hesitation, and I was excited at the idea of being one step closer to teaching again. But then the variables started popping up – when would we meet for tutoring, where would we meet, how would he get anywhere if his parents were tied up with appts with his brother? The issues would still be the same unless I went to him. Which…I could…but I didn’t want to invade the family’s space and privacy – having a child who is sick has emotions heightened and I didn’t want to be intrusive by taking up space in their home. So the ideas started snowballing from there, and eventually I decided that I needed to be able to bring a classroom to their home to stay out of their personal space but also give the kids an opportunity to be in a “classroom” setting and focus on their academics.
And so, the travelling classroom was born – I would take a bus, convert it into a classroom, and be able to take it anywhere to help anyone. I called my husband back that same day and told him my idea – he loved it, but wanted me to put a business plan and do some research before we dove into it. I convinced him that if we bought a bus, we wouldn’t have any excuses to not follow through with the vision. So, by the end of the week, I found a bus on Facebook Marketplace, and here we are today.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
With a master’s degree in Educational Leadership, I’ve spent eight years teaching children of all ages, gaining invaluable experience in both general and special education. My dedication to students has always extended beyond the classroom – I’ve coached Special Olympics participants and even served as the mascot at each school where I taught, because I believe in showing up for kids in every way possible. My commitment to education was honored when I was named Educator of the Year for the 2022–2023 school year.
My personal story is deeply rooted in diversity and resilience. As the daughter of a Holocaust survivor and a Vietnam War refugee, I carry with me the lessons of perseverance, compassion, and hope. These experiences have shaped my belief that every child – no matter their circumstances – deserves the opportunity to succeed. They’ve also inspired me to build a culture of inclusion and understanding in everything I do.
Beyond my professional life, I’m a devoted wife and mother of a blended family. I understand firsthand the importance of nurturing environments where every child can thrive. This belief is the foundation of MECA’s mission and vision, ensuring that all children, regardless of their background or challenges, receive the educational opportunities they deserve. My unwavering dedication to both my family and my students continues to drive my passion for advancing educational equity and empowering every learner to reach their full potential.
What I am most proud of is that MECA is dedicated to serving children who face chronic absenteeism due to circumstances beyond their control. By bringing education directly to them, we are the only organization providing this vital service. Our approach goes beyond academics; we prioritize each child’s overall well-being and mental health while bridging the educational gap caused by extended time away from the classroom. Every child deserves access to quality education, and MECA ensures they receive it. We’re not just tutoring; we’re delivering equity – giving every student the resources, support, and opportunities they need to thrive.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One of the most profound lessons I’ve had to unlearn is the belief that I always have to be the strong one – the one who carries everything, fixes everything, and keeps everyone else comfortable. For much of my life, I equated strength with never showing weakness and pleasing others, even at the expense of my own well-being. But I’ve come to understand that true strength doesn’t come from holding it all together – it comes from having the courage to be vulnerable, to admit when you need help, and to allow others to support you.
I’ve also learned that saying “no” doesn’t make me unkind or unhelpful; it makes me human. It’s an act of self-respect and emotional honesty. Boundaries don’t push people away, they create space for genuine connection built on authenticity rather than obligation. Unlearning the need to constantly be strong and to please everyone has taught me that grace and strength can coexist, and that honoring myself allows me to show up more fully and meaningfully for others.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
A time when I truly had to pivot in life was when I stepped away from my dream career in education to become a stay-at-home mom. I had been working since I was 14, and teaching had always felt like my purpose – it was where I poured my heart and identity. So, letting go of that part of myself was incredibly difficult. I struggled with feeling like I was losing the professional side of who I was.
But what I didn’t realize then was that this pivot was preparing me for something even greater. Stepping back gave me perspective, patience, and a deeper understanding of the challenges families face behind the scenes, especially those with children who can’t always access a traditional classroom. That experience ultimately inspired me to create MECA, an organization that brings education directly to children who need it most. What felt like a detour turned out to be the foundation for my life’s mission – proving that sometimes the biggest pivots lead us exactly where we’re meant to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mecaconnect.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mobileeducenterforall/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MobileEduCenterForAll
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mobileeducenterforall/
Image Credits
Encima Media & Erica Rempel Photography