Meet Tiana Stephenson | Educator | Founder and Owner of Watch Mi Work LLC

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tiana Stephenson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tiana, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process behind starting Watch Mi Work LLC was simple; I wanted my students to have a chance at a better quality of life. I wanted to limit the excuses as to why black and brown students did not have adequately trained teachers or resources that identified and supported their academic and behavioral needs. There is always an excuse for why students don’t get what they deserve: a quality education, prepared teachers, supportive school environments.

Teacher retention is a thing. Lack of resources is a thing. But also schools and teachers not willing to give our students better is a thing. As a teacher, I didn’t want to hear “it’s not in the budget” when I saw unprepared teachers failing to meet the needs of all students. Therefore, I was committed to finding a better way. I couldn’t find it so I created it and Watch Mi Work was formed.

We make it accessible for all schools to properly coach and support all teachers while providing them with resources, technology, and professional developments that meet the needs of students by meeting the needs of teachers.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Watch Mi Work, LLC is an EdTech and Educational Development company, serving higher education, K-12, business, and government clients. We create applications, professional developments, and resources that meet the needs of all students, teachers, and schools. Our products assist with progress monitoring, differentiated lesson planning, teacher development, data collection, and more.

Watch Mi Work was my response to the disparities I saw in the school system as an educator. Over the last few years, it has grown from resources posted on Teachers Pay Teachers to several different projects. Truthfully, WMW has grown due to the pandemic. Therefore, during the pandemic, schools and teachers began to reach out to me for support. As a person, I’ve always been tech-savvy. Thanks to my mother and sister who studied and worked in computer science. As I consulted with schools, I realized that the need in schools were not only resources but technology and professional developments for staff.

At first, it was difficult to balance the demand especially because I was a full-time teacher leader. I tried everything to get organized but it was not enough time in the day. At that point, I was also running two businesses: Watch Mi Work LLC and www.teacherfits.com. My partner noticed I was stressed and offered to support the day-to-day with www.teacherfits.com so I could focus on Watch Mi Work. It allowed the business to thrive in ways I never imagined. The shift taught me the importance of a strong team. No one can do it all, so it is important to allow people to support.

Today, Watch Mi Work LLC is one of the few EdTech and Educational Development companies owned and operated by current educators. Therefore, our products come from a place of experience and expertise. It is not our goal to get rich off education, there are enough people out there trying to do that. It is our goal to give students access to adequately trained teachers, great resources, and a better quality of life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite spots right now: (1) Krog street market-You can’t lose if you try the Spicy Chicken Bao Buns from Suzy Siu’s Baos or the fresh Brick oven pizza from Varuni Napoli. Parking sucks but it is worth it.

(2) Slutty Vegan-Vegan or not, the food is worth the wait. I also love the vibe, great energy at Slutty Vegan.

(3) Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks-I am a Philly native so I have to support this place because it’s owned by a Philly fellow native and the Cheesesteak egg roles are a game-changer.

(4) Any Park – Atlanta and surrounding counties have great parks that you can just chill in. Piedmont is great on a Sunday, you can just sit by the water and enjoy your company even if it’s yourself.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Over the last few years, there have been several people that have impacted me as a person from my family, my partner in business and life, Alexis to my “Kittens.” As a leader and risk-taker, my mentor, Dr. Kimberly Mobley-Gore has shown me what it means to be a black woman in leadership. As a black business owner, mother, wife, daughter, mentor, and more, she displays in her actions and words how to truly show up as a leader and impact others while exhibiting patience and giving yourself grace. I inspire to have the same impact on others as she has had on me.

Website: www.watchmiwork.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/watchmiworkllc

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/watchmiworkllc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watchmiworkllc

Image Credits
IMG_5324-TeacherFits.com (Black Leader Shorts) IMG_5427-Watch Mi LLC’s I am more than okay series (Planner and Journal) IMG_0800-Photograph of Tiana Stephenson. Captured by Alexis Drake IMG_4790-Captured by London Bailey IMG_5591-Captured by Evangeline Berube