Today’s Meet a Mom is a lifelong educator who left the public school system earlier this year to begin TutorVille The Woodlands. Jamie Spikerman opened the doors to TutorVille The Woodlands this Summer and provides in-home (or virtual) academic support services in 4 areas: academic tutoring, test prep, college prep, and homeschool services. As the Director of Operation, Jamie personally does each client intake call to create the perfect match between family and tutor. That customized student/tutor relationship is so important and what sets this tutoring service apart. Plus, it’s a huge bonus that they provide in-home services, so that tutoring can be scheduled around the student’s (and family’s) busy lives.
Check out Jamie’s #meetamom interview below to learn more about TutorVille The Woodlands, the inspriation behing starting this local business, and how it has given Jamie the opportunity to have more freedom and time with her family after being a teacher then school counselor for almost 20 years.
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in the North Houston area?
I am originally from Bellaire, Texas but my family and I have lived in this area for 15 years.
How many kiddos do you have and how old are they?
We have a foster daughter who is 29 and a teacher, a 18 year old son who is a freshman at OU, and our youngest daughter, who is 15 next week, is a freshman in high school.
What are your favorite local things to do? (with kiddos or just for mom!)
I love the outdoors! Walking, kayaking, anything water related. I also love listening to live music and just meeting new people.
As hard as it is to find the time, what’s something you do just for yourself?
We, unfortunately, until recently not much and never enough for myself. Getting my nails done is a treat I love and going on jogs or kayaking. I am also one to go to the movies solo – love the movies.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
I have a degree in Spanish and speak Spanish. I studied abroad in Costa Rica while in collegeand this immersion experience is how I became fluent.
What’s the best mom advice you have ever been given (or your own advice to mamas out there)?
Well, since my kids are older, I look back now and wish another mom would have told me to let that work pile grow, because the kids don’t wait on you to grow up. Family first.
Tell us about TutorVille The Woodlands! When did you open the doors and what services do you offer?
We launched TutorVille The Woodlands in July 2021. We are a boutique tutoring company that provides in-home (or virtual) academic support services in 4 areas: academic tutoring, test prep, college prep, and homeschool services in partnership with Texas Tech (TTU-K12).
What was the inspiration behind starting TutorVille The Woodlands?
Our mission is to foster a lifelong love of learning that extends well beyond the classroom. TutorVille was founded in 2009 in the Houston area because our CEO’s desire was to meet the unique, individual needs of students in a personal, curated setting.
What do you think sets TutorVille apart from other tutoring services out there?
We customize a plan to fit each students’ needs. Our specialty is carefully matching the ideal tutor with the whole child. I personally, as Director of Operations, do each client intake call to establish those matches between the family and the tutor. We are also unique because we provide in-home services that can be scheduled around our clients’ busy lives!
What did you do before starting your own business (or still do if you still work outside of TutorVille)?
I am a lifelong educator. I was a public school teacher for sixteen years and a high school and middle school counselor for three years until May of 2021.
TutorVille The Woodlands team
What has been the most rewarding thing about what you do?
Hearing student success stories and helping families! The students have always been my ‘why’ and I still get to answer that calling but in a different way.
How do you balance owning your business and being Mama?
You know, as a teacher for almost 2 decades, I felt as though my family never got the same focus as my students. Only teachers truly understand this, but teachers have arduous responsibilities – both physically and emotionally- in the schools. My dedication to that work left little room for balance. So, to now have the flexibility to put myself and my family first is a gift. And, I don’t take that gift for granted. I make sure that I am not working into the late hours of the night, and I notice when it is OK to put down the work to be there for one of my kids’ events, or to just be present.
The freedom to realign my priorities is really how I finally felt some balance. I just wish I had the courage to do it sooner.
What are your future plans and dreams for TutorVille The Woodlands?
I want TutorVille The Woodlands to be the company families think of first for academic support. I want us to be a household name that parents talk about and share with other parents in casual conversations. And, it’s already starting!
To learn more about TutorVille The Woodlands:
Website: https://tutorvilletutors.com/locations/the-woodlands/