We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Simone Lewis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Simone, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Eight months ago, I packed up my sedan and drove 613 miles from Florida to Georgia, without ever setting foot in Georgia before. Why? Because I wanted more for my life and my son’s life. I had a beautiful home in South Florida, a coveted district-level position in the educational sector, but still, I yearned for more—professionally, financially, and emotionally. Life in Florida had become routine, and as the end of the summer break drew closer, so did my desire for something more. Drawing on what I knew best, I began to pray to God for clear guidance as to my next step. Little did I know that a few days later, a conversation with a friend would result in me leaving everything behind to create a new life for my son and me in Georgia. Since arriving in Georgia, not only have I become a pivotal part of the public school system, but I have also relaunched my Tutoring company Home Learning Support Systems, providing virtual tutoring services to students in grades K -12, in all subjects.

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?

Founding Home Learning Support Systems was born from a deep-seated commitment to expanding the impact of education. During the pandemic, like everyone else, I was forced to teach not only my students but also my own child virtually. Although it had it challenges, I quickly realized that it was a lot more difficult not only for many of my educational peers but also especially for parents of children in grades K-8. My co-workers and friends were constantly contacting me for ways to keep their child engaged during online learning, meanwhile my students and I were having virtual parties, participating in educational games and even receiving virtual student of the week pizza deliveries. Learning was still happening and I would stop at no ends to connect with my students. Even if that meant , creating my own “rap” song and video, called “ Where You at Class. In the words of my students, it was cringe, but they were all online to see it and would sign on weekly to see what new tricks I had up my sleeve. Wehther it’s dressing up in camp gear to conduct a professional development for teachers, dressing up as an old woman to engage learners or transforming my classroom into a jazz cafe, I believe in brining energy and excitement to make learning memorable. My journey as an educator led me to recognize the critical need to address educational disparities, particularly for students in grades K-8, with a special emphasis on those from underserved neighborhoods and the ASD community. As a result of the plight of parents and friends and an internal voice that kept indicating that teaching was not only my passion but my purpose, I decided to start a virtual tutoring company to reach and help as many families as possible.

Research has shown that there is a great educational divide with our children being far behind their peers globally, and lets face it the month of learning loss from Covid , still being felt from coast to coast. In addition, many school systems are struggling to find certified teachers , due to many leaving the profession due to poor salaries or sadly due to the rise in school shootings. My vision for this tutoring company was not just to instruct but to catalyze positive change. I sought to build a community of like-minded educators—passionate individuals dedicated to empowering all students, from kindergarten through eighth grade, and partnering with their parents to effectively bridge the educational gap. As the company rebranded and relaunched in 2024 in Georgia. We increased our subjects covered and grades served to K-12 students.

At Home Learning Support Systems, we are more than tutors; we are partners in your child’s educational journey. Our commitment is to provide tailored support, fostering a love for learning while addressing individual needs. We stand as a beacon of inclusivity, recognizing and celebrating the unique strengths of every child. These are things that are truly important to me as not only an educator but also as a black woman, from a third-world country, who has a child on the autism spectrum. I truly believe that my purpose in life to help each family that I come in contact with , to build the gap between home and school.

I have received recognition from my peers for my ability to genuinely connect with students while also improving test scores. Throughout my career, I have been honored with awards such as Teacher of the Month and Teacher of the Year multiple times. Additionally, I have been regularly invited to conduct trainings and professional development sessions by various organizations, primarily focusing on Project-Based Learning and Classroom Engagement.

Given my expertise and experience, Homelearning Support Systems not only provides tutoring services for students but also offers professional development opportunities and trainings for schools and educational technology-related organizations. I invite you to join us on this transformative educational journey, where we blend warmth, professionalism, and a commitment to excellence. Together, let’s empower your child to not only reach but surpass their academic potential, ensuring a brighter future. Please don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more about how we can support your educational goals.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

I see each client and their families as an extension of my own. This feeling of kinship begins right from the hiring process; I carefully select individuals who are genuinely passionate about teaching rather than just looking for another job opportunity. I seek out educational change-makers, tutors who are eager to make a real difference by bridging educational gaps.

Moreover, I personally handle each intake call or virtual meeting with every prospective client. During these conversations, I take the time to truly understand them and their child, working closely with my tutors to craft customized tutoring sessions that reflect their interests and needs.

To add a touch of encouragement, I’ve even sent students motivational gifts to celebrate their progress in school. It’s essential to me that everyone involved has a voice, which is why I regularly seek input from parents and teachers through quarterly feedback surveys to ensure our sessions are as effective as possible.

Any advice for managing a team?

One of the educational quotes I truly resonate with is by Rita Pearson: “Children don’t learn from people they don’t like.” Similarly, in the workplace, employees are more inclined to excel under leaders they admire. It’s not just about “coming to work,” but rather about genuinely “showing up” with enthusiasm and dedication. Strive to be the reason your employees eagerly show up to work each day.

I am deeply passionate about education, and I extend that same level of sincerity, transparency, and genuine care to my employees. I firmly believe that fostering this environment of respect and appreciation is key to maintaining their high morale.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.homelearningsos.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homelearningsos_tutoring?igsh=MzFtb2F6d3Q2cGJh
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homelearningsos?mibextid=ZbWKwL
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-simone-t-lewis-pbl-diva?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
• Twitter: https://x.com/DrLewis_PBLDiva?t=Estp8KS4nT9R8k5jtEkZCg&s=09