Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jessalyn Burden. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Jessalyn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career

What would I change? Wow, that’s a topic I think about a lot. These are my own opinions on the subject. As a former public school teacher in the Special Education Department, I have witnessed and experienced the good, the bad, and the ugly of our current educational system and many things could be changed to make it a little bit better. In today’s rapidly changing world, education needs to prepare students not just for academic success, but for a fulfilling life and career.

One critical change I believe would be to put more focus on personalized learning. Every student has unique needs and learning styles, and the educational system should adapt to meet those needs. When students receive instruction tailored to their learning style, they can thrive and achieve more than anyone thought possible. I understand that that is quite impossible when a teacher has 25-30 students that they must teach daily, however, maybe schools need to have smaller classes. This would also mean that more teachers would be needed when we are already in a teacher shortage. But we already know what could be done for teacher retention, so why are we not supporting the very people who are preparing the next generation to run the world?
Another change that could be made is providing more support for special education teachers. These educators work with some of the most vulnerable students in the system, yet often do not receive the resources or support they need to succeed. By providing more resources, training, and support, special education teachers can better serve their students and improve outcomes. Sometimes all a child with a disability needs is 1-1 support and they will surprise you with what they can accomplish.
Finally, teaching more functional trades that can be used as children enter adulthood, can provide students with practical skills that they can use throughout their lives. This can include everything from coding to mechanics to culinary arts. By offering a range of trade-oriented courses even in the younger grades, students can discover their passions and develop practical skills that prepare them for a fulfilling career. Learning history and other such subjects are important, but unless you are becoming a history teacher, all of that knowledge does nothing to help people support themselves and their families.

There is a reason that more and more people are making the difficult decision to homeschool. I myself was homeschooled K-12 along with my 4 siblings and if I ever have children, I would not send them to public school with the way things are now. Something has to change or the future of this next generation is in serious danger. All children deserve a quality and SAFE education.

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?

As mentioned previously, I have a background in public school teaching, having obtained degrees in both Elementary & Special Education, as well as an endorsement in reading from the University of Southern Mississippi. My experience includes one year as a 3rd grade inclusion teacher in Mississippi, followed by a year as a K-5 ESE teacher in South Florida. In an effort to make a greater impact on young children with learning disabilities, I chose to depart from the traditional school setting and establish Inspired Tutors in July of last year.

My focus has been to provide personalized, one-on-one instruction to students in their early academic years, spanning PreK-6th grade. I tailor lessons to meet the specific needs and learning styles of each individual child, and if applicable, I concentrate on their IEP (Individualized Education Plan) goals and participate in IEP meetings to assist both the student and their parents. With the completely virtual nature of Inspired Tutors, I am able to connect with children regardless of their location, and offer support in a way that is accessible and convenient for their families.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

As an entrepreneur, I have undergone a significant amount of trial and error while cultivating my ideal clientele, and the learning process is ongoing. Despite my business being virtual, I make a conscious effort to meet people in person as frequently as possible. Establishing personal relationships with potential clients fosters trust and encourages them to regard me as more than just a service provider, but rather as an individual who can offer them support they may not have access to. Such rapport results in satisfied customers who are inclined to recommend my services to others, making word-of-mouth promotion one of the most common and effective ways to expand my business.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Embarking on an entrepreneurial journey is a great undertaking, requiring much commitment to learning and research. As one assumes the role of their own boss, the responsibility of crafting a well-structured schedule and setting achievable goals on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis becomes something that you must do to be successful. Personally, as an avid reader of novels, I have encountered challenges when delving into business-related books. Nonetheless, a notable exception emerged last summer when I was introduced to “Atomic Habits” authored by James Clear. This book has profoundly influenced my mindset, particularly in terms of establishing goals and cultivating new habits essential to my entrepreneurial pursuits. Clear explains in great detail how to relinquish undesirable habits and acquire new ones by using personal experiences and stories. With an emphasis on practicality and insightful guidance, this book serves as an invaluable resource for individuals seeking to enhance their entrepreneurial lifestyle.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.inspiredtutors.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspiredtutors/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InspiredTutoring
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessalyn-burden-616237213/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Inspiredtutors