Today we’d like to introduce you to Monique Chappell
Hi Monique, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Monique Chappell. I was born and raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut and I always said, “When I grow up I’m going to be a teacher.” It wasn’t until I saw my third grade teacher in action that made me want the dream job even more. I lost a lot of friends growing up due to gun violence and after high school I made the decision to leave the state and attend an HBCU, Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC. My freshman year they shut down the education program and I decided on getting a communication arts degree. After I graduated college, I was working in the mall at a shoe store and that’s when I realized I wanted my next job to be in education. Trusting in God, I took a leap of faith and quit my job and was unemployed for some time. I finally found a job and then became a float teacher for a staffing agency and assisted however I could. Since then, I’ve worked in middle school, child cares, Pre-K and high school. I am now an educator, business owner and tutor. I also have my own business Meilani Educational Services in honor of my daughter Meilani. I provide child development assessments and tutoring services to students in PreK – 12th grade. I also raise funds to provide book donations to students and schools worldwide.
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?
Not at all. There were so many struggles along the way. The beginning was hard because it was hard to find a job with little experience or education in the field. So I literally had to build my resume from scratch. In the middle, I was finally getting back into school for my teacher certifications and my master’s. I juggled working in a classroom setting, a clinical setting, being the student (taking additional classes). Of course, unexpected life experiences happen along the way. I lost my great grandfather, my daughter (while pregnant), I even had to put down my dog. Smooth is the last word I would use for the road that was taken.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The tutoring services we provide focus on scholars who need additional assistance in ELA/Reading and Math. I also specialize in Assessments and Research. All of my students are assessed frequently for personal research to help close the reading and math gap worldwide. I started this business in 2021 and have now served slightly over 200 students in grades PreK-12.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The average reading and math score was lower than all previous assessment years going back to 2005. 4th and 8th grade reading and math scores declined across ALL regions of the country and in 30 states/jurisdictions. The services I provide are mandatory for students around the world. The next 5-10 years is really unpredictable. I can tell you one thing, the big shifts and changes cannot be made in a positive way by teachers and tutors. It takes students, parents, the community and school districts to come together and help make the change we wish to see.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://book.squareup.com/appointments/5du9sksbmhqytn/location/L6HPSVGVS3MV5/services?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3tAMnzIA_RzhZH1VI_kQsgbf14uVcwnRb698ycf8G4R3BbKDXjN1DD7Dg_aem_R0CCK-tukFx8mNT97nZpzg
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/meekie1123
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meekie.chappell/
Image Credits
Pictures by VZ Beatz