We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tiffany Smith. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tiffany below.

Tiffany , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

Hello, I’m Tiffany Smith, a former criminal justice professional turned education enthusiast! After a decade in the legal world, I took a detour and discovered my passion for education. Over the past 10 years, I’ve been deeply involved in K-12 secondary public schools, wearing various hats from special educator to dual-certified math teacher, instructional coach, and even assistant principal. However, the majority of my educational career has been as a dual-certified math teacher in an inclusive environment.

In the school year 2021-2022, I faced significant challenges as an 8th-grade math teacher due to the pandemic’s impact on the classroom. Struggling, I began reconsidering my career in education, recognizing the need for change. Shifting to a new district, I not only changed my environment but also transformed my mindset towards education.

Learning to reestablish boundaries and reprioritize my life, with a focus on self-care, helped during the 2022-2023 school year, although challenges persisted. While still teaching, I collaborated with a business education coach and pursued courses in business and curriculum development. In May 2023, I resigned, and by August 2023, I transitioned from the classroom to entrepreneurship, launching my educational consulting business.

With a dedication to empowering teachers through professional development, I introduced the “Real PD” signature series, addressing genuine challenges in the classroom. Over the past five months, my efforts have been directed at building my brand and embodying the vision of Education Evolution: revolutionizing education, empowering teachers, and transforming lives.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My lifelong dream has always been to attend law school and become an attorney. After holding various roles in the criminal justice system, I became a paralegal for the Attorney General’s office in Kent County, Delaware, focusing on juvenile felonies. Soon, I realized the need to be on the opposite side, preventing these children from becoming mere files on my desk.

In 2013, I graduated with a master’s degree in special education from Wilmington University. Over the past decade, my diverse roles in K-12 secondary public schools aimed to drive positive change in the educational system. Serving in a district with diverse students, I’ve been a special educator in both exclusive and inclusive settings, with a primary focus as a dual-certified math teacher in an inclusive environment. I’ve also gained experience outside the classroom as an instructional coach and assistant principal.

In the last three years, I’ve dedicated myself to pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Delaware State University.

While grateful for my degrees, my educational journey has provided invaluable insights. Teaching before and after the pandemic emphasized that genuine solutions arise when real problems are identified, accompanied by a sincere evaluation of the situation.

The most valuable knowledge gained is that success in education hinges on fostering an environment with authentic relationships, genuine collaboration, and real accountability. Education Evolution seeks to revolutionize education through these principles. Our professional development identifies real problems and collaboratively works to solve them.

Education Evolution is introducing a digital product line, “Condensed Series,” a more affordable version of the signature series “Real PD.” This ensures that all educators have access to professional development genuinely supporting and empowering them with “real solutions” to various classroom problems.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

On July 21, 2019, I experienced two strokes caused by eight blood clots at the age of 38. After five days in the hospital and consultations with seven doctors, including a neurologist and neurosurgeon, as well as engaging in speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy, my journey toward recovery began. Following another hospitalization and ambulance ride about a month later, my physical healing commenced.

Even as I started to heal physically, the mental and spiritual struggles persisted. Having never experienced depression or anxiety before, I found myself grappling with overwhelming thoughts. Each day at home, my mind was clouded with dark thoughts beyond my control.

This debilitating anxiety took over my life, making it difficult to get out of bed or leave the house. I tried various methods, from breathing exercises to medications, in an attempt to gain some control. However, it wasn’t until I fully submitted my life to God that a positive transformation began.

Now, its been more than 4 years since the strokes, I express gratitude to God. I am thankful that today I experience no lasting effects or residue from those challenging moments in my life. Every day, I am grateful for God’s grace and mercy, acknowledging that they have played a significant role in bringing me to where I am today.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

“The Consulting Bible” was the first book I on consulting and business in general. Alan Weiss’s direct and valuable approach, outlining the do’s and don’ts of consulting, proved insightful. While he doesn’t specifically address educational consulting, his directness allowed me to discern what actions to take in building my education business. Throughout the entire book, he subtly emphasizes the importance of being sound, transparent, and maintaining integrity.

Although Weiss never explicitly mentions it, his confidence in his craft and boldness in beliefs make it clear that honesty, integrity, and doing what is right are crucial for a successful consultant business. This resonated with me, reminding me that despite drawing insights from various sources, I must define what I want my business to represent. In the face of changes and shifts in the business landscape, standing on principles of honesty, integrity, and doing what is right is the key to gaining and retaining clients, surpassing the sole pursuit of profit.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.educationevolution.us
• Instagram: @educationevolution.us
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-smith-a0a08918b?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app