We were lucky to catch up with Dominique Benson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Dominique, appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?
As a private tutor, I have a different perspective on education. I have worked with amazing teachers and schools that are very transparent and supportive but that only accounts for a small percentage of the families that request my services. The common thread amongst many clients and typically the source of their frustration is the fact schools are hyperfocused on standardized testing. As an educator, I understand the purpose and reason behind the importance of standardized testing however the preparation methods encouraged by the schools or districts leave much to be desired.
Preparation should be based on the subject instead of the test! We need to spend more time on the content but in a varied manner so we can train students to become critical thinkers. By encouraging and cultivating critical thinking skills in our students they can use those skills in multiple areas of their life. This is specific to standardized testing but can also be used when volunteering, leading a team, or even solving a problem at home. By valuing critical thinking skills, we are creating well-rounded students that can navigate any situation academically or personally.
As an elementary student, I remember critical thinking exercises being assigned in every class for most topics if not all of them. It allowed me to access any situation and find the best solution even if I didn’t remember every single detail about the topic. It’s not about knowing everything but about assessing what is available and making the best decision. Unfortunately, I am not seeing that within the current education system. It has gotten to the point where I encourage students to stop and ask themselves does an answer make logical sense because they’re so focused on the “right” answer instead of addressing the problem. Students already have many stressors that can cause them to make simple mistakes therefore I want to do my best to alleviate unnecessary anxiety.
Critical thinking skills can drastically change the education system for the better which would create opportunities that go beyond just scoring high on an exam.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
When asked what I do for a living I always answer that I am an educator. I have taught in a traditional classroom setting but I have spent far more time talking to students in a one-on-one capacity and in small group sessions. My educational background is unique because I spent almost a decade doing research at amazing institutions and learning from trailblazers. However, in the midst of my research career, I realized that I preferred teaching over presenting at conferences so I made the switch. This allowed me to focus on what I enjoyed the most, teaching, but more specifically teaching complicated concepts in a simplistic manner that made it easy for anyone to understand. I never thought I would come to own a tutoring company and help the next generation of scholars reach their goals but it has been one of the most gratifying experiences.
I choose the name Engaged Minds Academy (EMA) because when I tutored organic chemistry, I realized quickly that I had to get each student engaged mentally before attempting to teach them. EMA is a virtual tutoring company that specializes in math, science, and standardized test preparation for a wide variety of ages including adult learners. Over the past two years of being in business, the team at EMA has evolved from a one-person show to a team of five tutors, each working within their specialties. The core philosophy of Engaged Minds Academy revolves around a growth mindset. We work to ensure tutors are able to get to the root of the confusion for each student in order to change their fundamental view of the subject or topic. This confusion has a direct correlation with a student’s confidence. If we can increase their confidence in the subject or topic at hand it will be reflected in their grades. We want to enhance each student’s skill set to enable them to develop into better students overall. We focus on determining the best methodology for each student instead of treating them all the same.
Engaged Minds Academy (EMA) was started in a unique manner. In the beginning, most of the students were a part of the homeschooling community. Homeschooling parents would come to me to ensure their students understood math and science in a way that allowed them to grasp concepts instead of memorization to pass exams. I have had the opportunity to teach at multiple homeschool co-ops that consisted of conversation-based lectures and interactive activities for students who “didn’t like” math or science. This is the driving force behind why tutors at EMA use various methods to aid students in their comprehension of the material.
The team at EMA works with students from the second grade with the basics of math, as well as, organic chemistry for college students or students struggling with advanced calculus. Our skilled tutors focus on meeting the students where they are in an effort to get them where they want or need to be. EMA even offers independent-styled & teacher-led SAT/ACT exam preparation so each student can achieve the highest score possible on the first attempt. Regardless of the option chosen, we are happy to assist any student struggling with preparation and testing strategies. We also offer a detailed learning style assessment curated by university researchers which suggests the best study environment for each student.
I am proud to say that we do not have one specific type of student that we assist, but we have a variety of students. We are overjoyed when we work with a student that has been struggling with a specific subject and we’re able to get them to an A or B. Our student-athletes never worry about becoming ineligible because we meet with them consistently to ensure that they are always able to play their desired sport. It’s a joy to help our homeschoolers pass a college course so that they can graduate with dual credit. However, the most gratifying experience is hearing that a student scored very well on an entrance exam and was accepted to their dream college after working with our team for test prep and for their school courses. These are just a few descriptions of the types of students that we assist to achieve their goals but there are so many more. We adore our students and only want them to be the best version of themselves.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Networking and building relationships with those that I have met while networking. As a new entrepreneur, I had no idea how to network! I would go to the events and spend half the time trying to decide when would be the best time to leave. I didn’t understand the concept of networking to realize you had to put in the work at each and every event. Thankfully, I made a great friend at a women’s only event and she took me under her wing. She invited me to her office and we just talked. I told her my story and I listened to hers. It was the first time I fully grasped that the people simply handing out business cards like candy at the events were doing it wrong. You have to find a genuine connection with a person that you meet at those events and set something up for afterward to get to know them and their business at a personal level, that is the building relationship aspect.
After I had that epiphany, I became very intentional when attending events. I would walk into the room stating that I wanted to meet three to five genuine people and set up times to meet with them over the next two weeks. It worked! I was able to get a lot of business by using that model. Once people heard my passion and how I was different from the big-name companies they would understand and start to refer me. It could be for them personally, a friend of the family, a neighbor, or even a co-worker. I grew my clientele strictly from networking during the first two years of my business. I am just now getting to the point that I am interested in using social media but with the purpose of reaching clients at a national level. However, the bulk of my business is rooted in networking and building relationships.
How did you build your audience on social media?
My social media audience is still fairly small but the fact that I have a following at all is amazing. Initially, I hired a marketing company to give me a cohesive look across my platforms. They were awesome in making sure all the information presented was accurate and consistent no matter the platform. They used my existing brand information and created amazing graphics for me to use so I looked like a well-established business. Everyone should have a set of usable templates to create consistency and foster brand recognition. Even if you are just purchasing the templates, it makes a difference! I only used the agency services for a short amount of time but the fact that I could use my graphics and continue creating content allowed me the freedom to continue what they started. I still struggle with posting consistently but I have more content than I ever thought possible and people can see what EMA is all about.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.engagedmindsacademy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/engaged_minds/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/engagedmindsacademy
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/engagedmindsacademy/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSTlUf3WgSjuvawu6ezj94A
- Other: https://bit.ly/m/ema [email protected]