Meet Autumn Shead

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Autumn Shead. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Autumn with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

My work ethic is rooted in my family, my athletic background, and who I am as a person. Growing up, my parents worked hard for everything we had. I watched them show up every day, put in the time, and steadily work their way forward. Education was always a priority, and they consistently reinforced that success comes from effort, discipline, and perseverance.

They also encouraged me to be involved in a wide range of sports and activities, with basketball becoming the one that truly shaped me. I was held to high standards—maintaining at least a B average was required to play—which reinforced the balance between academics and athletics. Through basketball, I experienced firsthand how dedication and consistent effort lead to measurable improvement. I saw the results physically through sport and intellectually through education.

Those experiences instilled the work ethic I carry today. I approach every responsibility with commitment and persistence, and I do not stop until the task at hand is completed to the best of my ability.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am the owner and lead math tutor at The Jewel Institute of Education. After spending seven years teaching high school mathematics, I realized I wanted to reach more students—especially those who needed to see someone like themselves reflected in STEM. As a Black woman mathematician, my goal is to inspire, motivate, and make high-quality math support both accessible and affordable.

What sets my approach apart is the foundation I built in the classroom. Through years of teaching, I saw firsthand that learners—particularly in math—have stronger understanding and higher retention when they learn together in a supportive community. My tutoring model is intentionally designed for small-group instruction, allowing me to use my classroom experience to meet students where they are and effectively support learners of all levels and backgrounds.

I am excited to share that our website has officially launched, and to celebrate, we are offering $10 off your first session.

In addition to my work with The Jewel Institute of Education, I am also the founder and chairwoman of Ready Tutoring Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring, educating, advancing, and developing youth from all backgrounds within our community. Our mission is rooted in bringing the community together while always keeping learning engaging, accessible, and fun through free educational events for students of all ages.

We have recently launched our first two pillars:

Ready Roots – a Culturally Responsive Education and Empowerment Program

Ready Thinkers – a STEM Seminar Program

We will soon be releasing a donation calendar to help fund our upcoming events beginning in February. Be on the lookout—we are just getting started.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Three qualities have had the greatest impact on my journey: patience, openness to constructive criticism, and the courage to step out on faith.

Patience has taught me that everything unfolds in its own time. It reminds me to pause, breathe, and trust that I am exactly where I am meant to be in my journey. Faith reinforces that belief—knowing that I have been prepared for what lies ahead, and trusting that if I am not fully prepared yet, future experiences will provide the lessons I need along the way.

Equally important has been remaining a lifelong learner. Being open allows me to receive feedback with humility, regardless of how it is delivered. When criticism is approached with the right mindset, it becomes a tool for growth rather than a setback. I choose to learn from every experience and allow it to shape my progress.

Together, these qualities have helped me turn challenges into opportunities and make every lesson—expected or not—part of my success story.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

We welcome students of all abilities, backgrounds, and learning styles. Readiness to learn and a willingness to grow matter more than any label or circumstance. Every question is valued, and even a single inquiry can open the door to confidence, understanding, and growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jewelinstituteofeducation.com/
• Instagram: the_jewel_instituteofeducation
• Facebook: the jewel institute of education
• Other: ready tutoring website: https://readytutoringinc.org/