Today we’d like to introduce you to Jiavanna Medlock.
Hi Jiavanna, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In 2016, I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Elon University with the intention of continuing on to graduate school and becoming a psychologist. During my gap year, my desire to serve led me to join AmeriCorps through City Year, an education-focused nonprofit. I spent that year in Orlando, Florida, as an eighth-grade tutor and mentor and that experience completely shifted my path. What began as an interest in psychology grew into a true passion for creating equitable access to quality education for all students.
After City Year, I pursued a Master of Science in Education with a concentration in Urban Studies at Johns Hopkins University, graduating in 2019. There, I studied what makes an effective teacher and integrated that knowledge with my psychology background.
Professionally, I’ve worn many hats in education: school teacher, early interventionist, parenting coach, registered behavior technician, and childcare director. Each role deepened my commitment to children and families and ultimately inspired me to launch MsMedlockTeaches.org in 2020.
In 2023, I returned home to South Carolina to be closer to family and to bring the lessons I learned in Maryland back to my own community. Since then, I’ve loved building new relationships with families in the greater Columbia area and laying down even deeper roots here. This work is both my career and my calling, and I’m excited to continue growing alongside the students and families I serve
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
While it hasn’t been a smooth road, it has definitely been an enjoyable and rewarding one. From teaching myself how to design and code my own website to balancing the dual identities of Ms. Medlock the entrepreneur and Jiavanna the student, there were moments when it honestly felt like drinking from a firehose.
As a first-generation entrepreneur and teacher, I didn’t have family members to guide my career path or share wisdom about building a legacy. But I was fortunate to be encouraged by the many parents I’ve worked with over the years because they believed in me and trusted me even when I was still figuring things out.
When it came to web development, I had no formal training. There were countless late nights spent glued to YouTube tutorials, digging through obscure internet forums, and piecing together solutions just to get my website up and running. While I still don’t consider myself a tech expert, looking back at where I started, I can’t help but be proud of how far I’ve come
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Ms. Medlock Teaches is a holistic educational services brand serving PreK–8 students, families, and schools. At its heart, I offer private tutoring, curriculum design, and educational consulting/coaching with an emphasis on nurturing the whole child.
I offer : One-on-one and small group tutoring (in-person or virtual) tailored to each student’s needs, early childhood curriculum & homeschool lesson plans (ages 3–9+) that are child-centered, differentiated, and rooted in best practices in early learning. I also offer educational consulting & coaching for families, homeschoolers, and schools to help them build or strengthen systems, plans, and pedagogy.
What sets me apart: What sets me apart is that I don’t just focus on academic skills, I believe in nurturing emotional, social, and cognitive growth in every student. My approach blends elements from my background in psychology, Montessori and Charlotte Mason philosophies, Orton-Gillingham techniques, and culturally responsive pedagogy. I work with a wide range of learners and families, from preschool parents preparing their child for school, to college students seeking mentorship, to students on the autism spectrum or living with special needs. For my virtual students, I make sure they feel just as connected as those I work with in person. Each month, they receive a special care package from me filled with encouragement, inspiration, and the warmth that I bring to every session
What I’m most proud of brand wise: The fact that a service that began as a personal passion now touches many students all across the nation while still maintaining my personal touch and values. My early childhood literacy curriculum offerings that I have developed on my own built around classic stories that focus on real connection, not just “worksheets”. The relationships I have developed with my families, hearing from parents and students how this work has made a real difference in confidence, motivation, or academic progress is deeply meaningful.
What I want readers to know: Education doesn’t have to feel like a chore or a rigid path, it can be joyful, exploration-driven, and responsive to each child’s needs. I believe in connection over completion: learning isn’t just about checking boxes; it’s about curiosity, growth, and empowerment. Whether you’re a parent wondering if your child needs a tutor, a homeschooling family in need of structure, or a school seeking consulting support, I’m here to help you chart a path forward. You don’t have to go at this alone, behind every great learner is a village, and that’s the kind of support I want to be for families and educators.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I believe the qualities that have carried me the farthest are my resilience and integrity. Challenges are inevitable, but I’ve learned that resilience allows me to push through setbacks without losing sight of my bigger vision. Integrity keeps me grounded and reminds me that the way I achieve success matters just as much as the success itself. These qualities have not only helped me grow personally but also shaped the way I teach, create, and support the families I work with.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://MsMedlockTeaches.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ms.medlockteaches/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MsMedlockTeaches/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ms.Medlock
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@msmedlockteaches
