Today we’d like to introduce you to Sylika J. Camacho-Irshad.
Hi Sylika J. , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey started with a deep passion for education and a calling to help students who often feel unseen or underserved in traditional learning environments. As a mother of children with unique learning needs, including one diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), I experienced firsthand the frustration of being told by multiple professionals that there was nothing more they could do to help my child. That moment became a turning point.
Instead of accepting that as the end of the road, I leaned into research, holistic practices, and prayer. I committed to an entire year of focused healing—adjusting our diet, shifting our mindset, and integrating everything I’d learned from years in education and psychology. The transformation I witnessed in my child was undeniable—so much so that people who once knew him could hardly recognize him.
From that breakthrough, *Potter’s Touch Knowledge Center (PTKC)* was born. What started as a small tutoring service grew into a full educational services program committed to purpose-driven, individualized education for students from all backgrounds, especially those with learning differences. Today, we serve children from ages 5 to 18, using our Five Pillars framework—Identity, Source, Purpose, Ability, and Destination—to guide them academically, emotionally, and spiritually.
I’m not just building a school—I’m building a movement. One where children know who they are, why they matter, and what they were created to do. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth every step.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. This vision first came to me in **2003**, but it’s only now truly coming to life. Along the way, I kept starting and stopping—wondering if I could really do it. What I lacked wasn’t passion or purpose—it was **faith and confidence**. I had to grow into the calling.
I’ve had to remind myself of the very things I teach my students: to believe in yourself, to keep going, and to trust the process. It’s one thing to stand on the water—it’s another to *walk* on it. What I do now is walking on water—choosing to focus not on the challenges, but on the One who is greater. I’ve learned that I’d rather show up at 1% and let God fill in the 99% than try to do it all on my own. Every step forward has been a step of obedience and faith—and that’s what makes this journey so powerful.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m the Founder and Director of Potter’s Touch Knowledge Center, but at my core, I’m an Instructional Designer with a Master’s in Instructional Design & Technology from Full Sail University (2021) and a newly completed MS in Psychology with a focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). My work is grounded in creating curriculum that is individualized, purposeful, and holistic—because I believe education should be more than academics. It should shape a child’s identity, confidence, and sense of purpose.
At PTKC, no two students follow the exact same path. I design learning experiences that meet students where they are and guide them toward real-world application, character building, and personal growth. We offer electives like music (keyboard, theory, DJ, voice), art (drawing, pottery, painting), cooking, gardening, Spanish, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, public speaking, and passion projects that help students discover what lights them up.
What makes us truly different is how we integrate hands-on experiences and community impact into learning. Over the summer, our students partnered with several amazing organizations—Team Kareem Memorial Foundation, Love Makes Me Grow, and Wedding Wish by Candyland Designs. They helped plan events, supported fundraising walks for drowning awareness, learned about sustainability and growing food, and even helped with event logistics and planning. They weren’t just completing assignments—they were making an impact.
What I’m most proud of is seeing students who were once unsure of themselves become confident, capable, and clear on who they are. They’re not just preparing for tests—they’re preparing for life. That’s what sets us apart.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I lean on anything that helps keep me focused on purpose, growth, and servant leadership. Classic works like The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People have shaped how I lead, while motivational voices like
Les Brown and Jim Rohn remind me to keep showing up with boldness and faith.
But I’m most inspired by those who have their boots on the ground—people doing real work to uplift communities. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside organizations like the NAACP, Steps Foundation Inc., and Tree of Life Adult Day Care, and their passion constantly reminds me that leadership is about impact, not position. I believe that if I’m doing well and mankind is not, then I am not truly doing well.
In that spirit, I also draw wisdom from powerful books by authors who speak to identity, justice, leadership, and purpose. A few that have deeply encouraged me include:
The Purpose Room by Heather Lindsey
I’m Still Here by Austin Channing Brown
We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers
The Lightmaker’s Manifesto by Karen Walrond
You Are Your Best Thing by Tarana Burke & Brené Brown
More Than Enough by Elaine Welteroth
Lead from the Outside by Stacey Abrams
The Four Pivots by Dr. Shawn Ginwright
These voices speak truth, healing, and bold vision into my work and remind me why I show up for the mission every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.potterstouchkc.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptkceducation/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ptkceducation
