Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharee Gandy.
Hi Sharee, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in Orlando.I bounced around a little living with different family members. I spent time in both Orange Center and Parramore neighborhoods. I had a rough childhood but it help mold me into the woman I am today.I graduated from Jones High School. I was a teenage mother, I had my daughter my senior year in high school. I was told my life was over. Here I am now, a first generation college graduate and successful business owner.
I started tutoring at the age of 11. I tutored my aunt’s friend; she was an older woman who went to my church who was trying to get her GED. I was in 6th grade at the time, and I had always done well in school. I knew how to do the work, and it was easy for me. I started working with her, teaching her how to read and do the math and helping her prepare for her GED test. Teaching always came natural to me, in fact, I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. Growing up, you’re always asked what do you want to be when you get older. My first answer back in elementary school was a teacher. I didn’t become teacher, but I’ve always had a love for teaching. Whether it was teaching my own children or tutoring my friends’ kids. Fast forward to 2020, during the pandemic, I was a stay-at-home mom at the time. Covid-19 was at its peak, and I was in the house with nothing to do. A person a look at as a second mom mentioned to me, why don’t you start tutoring again? I thought about it for about a week, came up with a name and prices, and asked my daughter to create a flyer for me. October 2020 is when REEmixed Tutoring Services LLC was created. I started offering tutoring services for grades K-8 virtually and in person soon after. Within the first two weeks, I was booked, and it’s been amazing ever since.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When I first started tutoring, there were a few small bumps in the road. I started off using my phone to do tutoring sessions via Zoom. I had an extra room at my home that I turned into a classroom. It had a table, two chairs, and a few decorations. I used a phone stand to place my phone on while I tutored. There was no fancy camera or setup, just my Android. I was still a stay-at-home mom, so I also had to keep my kids as quiet as I could while working. It wasn’t always easy; I have 4 children, and 2 were babies at the time. My 2 older children helped out a lot while I worked. I then graduated to a laptop, which made it much easier to conduct my sessions. I was able to get up and walk around or use my dry-erase board if needed. As time went on, I learned how to juggle everything and make it work. It was definitely an adjustment for me and my family. Once I started doing in-person sessions, that created a new issue. Covid was still going strong, so it was a necessity for me to do my best to keep everyone safe. That included me, my family, and my tutoring students. It’s been a journey but it’s getting better with time
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
REEmixed Tutoring Services is a tutoring service offered to children in grades K-8. I offer tutoring in a variety of subjects such as reading, math, history, language arts, writing, science, English, and test prep, just to name a few. My business was officially established in 2020 but originally started in 2001 at the age of 11 years old. Teaching has always been a passion for me, and God blessed me with the tools to do it. The name of my business gives you an idea of what to expect while using my service. My style is different; that’s how I came up with the name REEmixed because it’s unique to me. My teaching style isn’t always traditional; I tailor it according to the student. Each child is different and has a different learning style. My job is to find out what that is and use my skills to bring the best out of the student. What makes me different from other tutoring services is I don’t just focus on education. I’ve learned that sometimes there are deeper issues than just learning when it comes to children. Some may deal with low self-esteem or lack of confidence, and that goes hand in hand with learning. My teaching style caters to each child’s specific needs, whatever they may be; I’m most proud of the effect my tutoring service has had on my students and their families. I’m really making a difference in the lives of my students, and it shows. Some of my students have learning disabilities, and some parents had lost hope. Not only my students but their families as well. What I want people to know most about REEmixed Tutoring is that I’m genuinely invested in the success of children, not just my students. I care about them as people, I care about their education, and I care about their future. I tell all of the parents of my students, once a student always a student. Even if they are no longer using my services, they still receive calls or texts from me checking in on them to see how their progressing. Kids need people that truly care, that see them, and that is willing to put in the work with them. That’s what REEmixed Tutoring is all about.
What’s next?
My plans for REEmixed Tutoring Services don’t stop at where I am now. I see REEmixed Tutoring becoming a franchise tutoring service located all over the United States. My ultimate goal is to open my own school. I’m looking forward to meeting more children and their families and making a positive impact in their lives. I’m also looking forward to growing my brand and getting my name out there.
Pricing:
- 30 Minute sessions are $20
- 1-hour sessions for K-2nd grade are $25
- 1-hour sessions for 3rd-8th grade are $30
Contact Info:
- Website: www.reemixedtutoringservices.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/REEmixedTutoring
