Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamira Fleming.
Tamira, before we jump into specific questions about your organization, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I embraced my vision in 2001. I became so passionate about helping all students achieve academically that I started a tutoring business in Dallas and named it Tailor-Made Tutor. I served families with special needs students as well as those with low to average abilities.
I developed a unique customized approach to student learning that guaranteed success. I marketed my “tailor-made” approach with the slogan “a personalized approach to learning.” I truly believed all students could learn if only someone could show them how they learned best. With this approach to teaching math, more students were succeeding, my business excelled, and soon I was tutoring in schools and eventually in the homes of the families I served.
Many of the goals I have were developed because of problems that I noticed in some of our Dallas communities. After working in the Dallas Independent School District as an elementary teacher, I became interested in investigating and researching data trends of student achievement across the metroplex. I noticed schools in certain zip codes showed higher averages in different areas of student achievement. Although I was always aware of the disparity, I began to feel a sense of responsibility to be part of the change in the lives of children and families attending public schools in the city of Dallas. I became even more passionate about providing quality supplemental educational opportunities for all children in the city of Dallas, particularly those from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
I believe that business leadership begins with servant leadership. I have served my church and community in many capacities such as a public-school teacher, volunteer, and mentor. To further my passion and mission, in 2018 I founded a non-profit organization called STEM Connextion which will serve as a charitable foundation that will provide a safe after school haven where student’s needs will be met academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. If students have academic talent in the STEM subjects, we nurture that talent and guide them toward pursuing STEM fields in college.
Here’s our bottom line: All students deserve a quality education no matter the zip code they live in, or what their background or family socioeconomic situation may be. If they need a quality private tutor in math, then they should have access to one. The parents who can afford a private math tutor for their children will find us, but for those who can’t afford it, we will find them.
We identify students with interest/talent in the STEM subjects and nurture, mentor, and guide those students to pursue STEM fields in college.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Some of the challenges along the way included marketing the business, finding space to operate my business, operating with zero starts up capital, and zero customers in the beginning.
We’d love to hear more about your organization.
Our Mission:
Stem Connextion introduces the STEM fields to the next generation while promoting academic excellence and equal access to quality education to all students.
STEM Connextion is best known for tutoring in all academic subjects. However, we specialize in math tutoring. What parents say the most about STEM Connextion is how quickly we are able to identify their child’s academic weaknesses and skill gaps and how fast students respond in terms of improving in school. We have a personalized approach to learning where each student has a personalized learning plan to help improve academics. Students begin to improve as quickly as one week.
Our program includes a blended learning format which includes both individualized one-on-one tutoring and digital learning lessons. Students enjoy this format because it gives them opportunities for support when needed, and a sense of independence, which helps build confidence. Students from nearby high schools enjoy access to an academic coach during our after school learning lab, which is open to all high school students.
What sets us apart from others is our family’s feel and environment. Students enjoy coming to the STEM.
Connextion learning lab because they feel at home. We have a warm and inviting learning space where students are respected and cared for. Additionally, parents feel comfortable leaving their children while they run errands, or grab a coffee at the nearby Starbucks.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career so far has been receiving the 2019 Texas Business Hall of Fame Foundation scholarship award. This award has allowed me to purchase technology for the STEM Connextion digital learning lab to further assist in improving learning resources for my students.
Additionally, STEM Connextion provides math tutoring for students at Interfaith Dallas, which is a transitional housing facility for families coming out of homelessness. This scholarship allowed for the purchase of iPads to assist with mobile learning resources to enhance onsite math tutoring for students in this facility.
The funds from this award will also be utilized to provide ACT/SAT prep tutoring and access to digital curriculum/lessons for high school students in South Dallas who attend the Juanita J. Craft Recreation Center after school program.
Contact Info:
- Address: STEM Connextion
9125 Diceman St.
Dallas, Texas 75218 - Website: http://www.stemconnextion.org
- Phone: 214-702-2334
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/stemconnextion
- Facebook: www.facebook,com/STEM Connextion
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/stemconnextion
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