Meet Kelley McKie of The STEM Learning Lab

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelley McKie.

Hi Kelley, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
From a young age, I was captivated by the world of education. My journey began when I was just three years old, teaching my younger brother everything I learned through our daily game of “school.” At a young age, I knew education was my calling. Over the past decade, I’ve dedicated myself to teaching math in both charter and private schools, honing my skills, and deepening my commitment to student growth. This summer, I took a pivotal step, transitioning from the classroom to focus entirely on supporting students beyond traditional settings. I aim to enhance educational experiences and provide personalized support that empowers students to thrive not just in the classroom but in all aspects of their lives. While my business focuses on Math, Science and test review, we can also meet students’ other needs. We work with all ages and focus on close communication with parents, teachers, and students together, to make sure our time is spent as effectively as possible.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I only transitioned out of the traditional school setting in June of this year, but the journey so far has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve hosted summer math camps, where students had the opportunity to enhance their math skills in a fun, relaxed environment. As I look ahead to this school year, I’m eager to support my students in a highly focused manner as they tackle new concepts and continue to grow.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
This new business to tutor students is my passion project. I love working with students of all ages and watching them become excited about learning. I firmly believe that each student is unique, with distinct strengths and needs. My goal is to help every student achieve their individual objectives, whether it’s advancing more rapidly, catching up, or improving test scores. I collaborate with schools and teachers to gain a comprehensive understanding of each student, then match them with a tutor who aligns with their learning style and personality, or I work with the student directly. The Learning Lab offers both in-person support at our Lillian Street location and online one-on-one lessons via Teams or Zoom.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was leaving my traditional teaching job this year to pursue my passion of opening a learning center. This decision required stepping away from the stability of a conventional role and diving into the uncertainties of running my own business. I believe that being open to risk is essential both in life and in learning. It fosters growth, innovation, and resilience. I encourage my students to tackle problems even when they’re uncertain and learn from their mistakes. In science and math, especially, making mistakes is a crucial part of the learning process. Each error provides an opportunity to understand concepts more deeply and build confidence. Taking risks, whether in life, business or education, helps us evolve and improve, and I strive to model this mindset for my students every day.

Pricing:

• Please contact us to come up with the perfect plan for your student that lies in your budget.

Contact Info:

• Website: theSTEMlearninglab.com

Image Credits
Amy Stephens