Today we’d like to introduce you to Deidra Lawson.
Deidra, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Originally from Longview, Texas, I moved to Houston to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Houston. Third Ward was my stomping ground and I’ve considered Houston my home ever since. My studies at the University of Houston also generated a minor in African Studies. Coming from a family of educators, upon graduating, I took advantage of an opportunity with Teach for America. Receiving a placement in Houston, my education career began.
For the next 18 years, I committed myself to the education of the children of Houston, most often African-American children. I served as a secondary math teacher, Instructional Coordinator, Assistant Principal, Principal, and Head of Schools at public, private, and charter educational institutions. My most challenging project of late was assisting with opening the state’s first public/private charter school partnership spanning PK3 through 12th grade. The school opened its’ doors in August of 2018.
Since 2012, I have facilitated workshops and provided consulting on a variety of topics related to the effective and holistic education of African-American children. Most recently, I have dedicated myself full time to the companies I founded, Educating While Black and An Edified Life. One is a space deeply rooted in the cultures, principles, and values present throughout African-American culture. The other provides individualized learning and development support for mental health, spiritual well-being, and self-fulfillment. I specialize in education solutions, project management, professional development, and coaching and development support.
Has it been a smooth road?
It’s been a constant and consistent road. I’ve always been pretty clear on my purpose. My mother has been a teacher for over 40 years and my father was a preacher and pastor for several years. My current journey combines the two. What has been a struggle is learning how to balance motherhood and family life with my goals and aspirations as an educator, an advocate, and a professional. As I’ve grown, I’ve focused on creating a life of balance. Ive learned to feed myself and create space for myself so I can serve others. I’ve learned that regardless of the community goals I want to achieve, my family unit comes first. I also realized to have what I really wanted, I’d have to create a pretty different life than the one I was living.
Tell us about your company. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
My company has two arms to it but the common thread is learning and development for education and edification. I am Educating While Black was created as a space to support Black educators, Black families, Black students, and Black communities. I wanted to create a space that allowed all of these stakeholders to interact, have discourse, and create community. Now that I have the opportunity to pursue this full work time, it has grown into both a consulting and training company and a research group. I provide consults for families that are pursuing homeschool as an avenue to educate their children. I also provide guidance and support to schools ranging from teacher and leadership development to project management. My specialty is culture creation and culturally relevant curriculum.
My current baby is a framework and program I developed with Mitzi Henderson, a local yoga school owner, called Connected Community. It is a research-based, expert-led collaborative community. We provide social, emotional learning and development that includes tools and strategies to shift work and school climates, increase self-awareness in educators, increase educator-student connections, and cultivate positive school communities. We will be conducting training this March for educators that allows them to get both their Yoga Teacher Certification and an SEL Facilitator Certification.
I also have a research partner, Autumn Raynor- she’s a professor at both HCC and UH. She and I conduct research specifically focused on Black education, culture, and communities. We will be presented this March in Atlanta at the NCBS conference. An Edified Life is where I work with individuals on self-discovery and self-actualization. I provide guided journals and other self-help materials in my online store and also host workshops and masterminds. Every so often, I accept one-on-one clients and we do an Accomplishment Consult.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Education will continue to be something our community tries to find the right solution for. I hope to push the envelope as it relates to conversations about Black children. As a community, as a society, we are in crisis. Communities have to decide what they want for themselves and take this responsibility back. Schools need help. Teachers need help. Our students are dissatisfied. Our children are stressed out and disengaged. All of these things are in front of us, but I also know the solution is there. We know what it takes. We know what works. If we listen to the right people, if the right people take responsibility, if we focus on what we can control, we have a chance to get this right for our children. I think you will see more discussions about alternative learning environments and instructional practices. I think social emotional wellness and holistic learning can no longer be ignored. Every stakeholder in our schools is working in an anxiety-ridden environment. We’ve got to fix it.
Pricing:
- The Yoga Teacher Training for Educators is $2995 with a few financing options available. Campus and federal funds (Title 1, At-Risk, etc) can also be used.
- Homeschool Consults are $140 and generally cover 4-6 weeks of instructional planning
- Individual Learning and Development Consults start at $140 and have a range of scheduling options
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thisisdeidra.com
- Phone: (832) 422-6839
- Email: thisisdeidra@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/educatingwhileblack
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/educate.edify/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/EducateBlack
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