Meet Bre’Anna Collins, M.Ed | Back to the Basics!

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bre’Anna Collins, M.Ed and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bre’Anna, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Like most businesses, The Tutoring Teacher, LLC began simply as an idea that I did not dedicate much thought to. The idea would pop in my head multiple times per day at various times during the day, like the daily reminders we set on our electronic devices to remind us of important task that needed to be complete. When the idea became reoccurring, it was a sign that it was time to ponder a lot harder and a lot longer to transform this idea into a reality. One of the first things I did as a “newly found business owner” was determine what services I could offer or produce that would be in high demand and beneficial to parents, students, and other educators such as myself. I realized that the pandemic not only affected peoples’ jobs but education was tremendously impacted as well. Due to the pandemic and its detrimental effect on education, I decided to create interactive learning binders that parents and educators could use as a tangible resource that could be used in and beyond the classroom. The binders were an instant sensation but I felt like there was more that needed to be done. I began to think of the needs of my own students and tried to get to the source of their origin. A vast majority of the students I’ve taught or have encountered were lacking the foundational skills that are typically taught in grades Kindergarten through second. Because of aforementioned deficit in foundational skills, I decided that tutoring students in grades Kindergarten through second would be the key to lessening the number of learning gaps we encounter as educators. The tutoring sessions focus on foundation skills such as phonics, phonemic awareness, high frequency words, basic math skills, and of course, comprehension.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Tutoring Teacher, LLC was created during the height of the pandemic. Like most business owners, time, sweat, and tears have gone into propelling my business to where it is today. I have handmade over 80 interactive learning binders and shipped them to various states such as Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, Missouri, North and South Carolina, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and various cities in Florida. The overflow of support from people in my community as well as people in states that I have never met is what I am most proud and excited about. When I initially posted the video of the binder, it was shared over 300 times and received 21,000 views. These views and shares helped build my clientele to where it is today. Not to mention word of mouth. I would like to thank anyone that has ever spoken positively about my business or referred a customer to me. There is nothing easy about operating a business and I have survived many late nights and many obstacles. My secret to overcoming these challenges is that I remained confident in my project and I continuously promoted my business even when things seemed or had become stagnant. The most important lesson I learned is that customer service is key and will keep your business afloat. One of my customer service goals is to communicate effectively and efficiently and always thank the customer for supporting my business. I think the world should know that The Tutoring Teacher has so much MORE in store for them and they should definitely stay tuned!!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I currently reside in Belle Glade, Florida. There is not much to get into in this area so I typically travel about 30-45 minutes to West Palm Beach in order to experience a good time. If we were in Belle Glade we would definitely have to visit Banyan Tree to eat lunch or breakfast. If we travel to West Palm Beach, we’d visit Benny’s on the Beach. It has delicious food and a great view of the beach. Because I am a kid at heart, we’d visit the Adrenaline Trampoline Park. Typically, I have more fun than the kids, LOL! The mall or shopping outlets would also be on the agenda because retail therapy is most certainly a necessity!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
People will have you believe that playing sports is the ONLY way you’ll be successful in the Glades Area. The aforementioned statement is simply a myth. While this area is notable for being a gold mine for future professional athletes, we are also responsible for producing lawyers, doctors, educators, and other successful beings. I was never into sports; as a matter of fact, the only thing that has ever come natural to me is school or anything education related. As I matriculated through high school my career path was not always crystal clear, however, there was one person that I met the year I entered first grade that I’ve always carried with me. My senior year in high school was rapidly concluding and I was still indecisive about “what I wanted to be when I grew up”. Even through my extended phase of indecisiveness, that one person and her impact on me remained constant. My senior year ended and I was set to begin my college career at Florida A&M University, still undecided about what I would major in. Finally, the person I’d kept in my head and heart since the first grade spoke to me without being physically present. So, you ask, who deserves credit and recognition in my story? Mrs. Betty Evans-Paige, my first grade teacher from Glade View Elementary School. Thank you for seeing the potential in me at such an early age. You pushed me beyond my comfort zone and for that, I am forever indebted to you.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thetutoringteacherllc

Image Credits
Janet Amaya-Leon