Meet Tawna Farciert

We were lucky to catch up with Tawna Farciert recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tawna, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome is so real. When I first made the decision to step out on my own and launch my business, I was terrified of what other people would say about it. I thought I would get questions like, “what makes you think you’re qualified to do this?”, or that once I put myself out there, the comments or corrections to my knowledge and skills would be really harsh, and people would tell me everything I was doing was wrong. To be honest, I still feel this way sometimes, and it can make me second guess posting a helpful tip or trick for parents because I’m worried someone will disagree with me. It took me probably 5 months into the start of my business to realize I was overthinking it. Because here’s the deal; I’m more than qualified. I’ve been working in the field of education for 21 years, in every aspect you can imagine, and every grade level there is. 10 of those years have been as a dedicated reading teacher with all levels of students, from kindergarten levels to high school. I’ve been both the mentee and the mentor. I’ve been placed in trainings and have pursued training on my own to grow my knowledge base to better serve my students. And, I’ve come to the realization that even the most experienced people in their specialized fields of study or service have to ask questions sometimes and get help with things, and that’s okay. Shifting my mindset has really helped me overcome this imposter syndrome feeling, and it’s enabled me to move forward in ways with my business in ways I never thought were possible.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

The Middle Matters Co. works with students K – 8th grade who are one or more years behind in reading. I believe what sets me apart from others is that it’s more than a tutoring service. Tutoring is great, and necessary, but there is a difference between that and intervention, which is what I do. I have worked for many years to develop my knowledge and experience in order to bring the best strategies and resources to benefit the students I work with.

I am the most excited about seeing growth in my clients, and watching them apply the skills with success that we work on in session. It is a beautiful thing to give a child the gift of reading. It’s almost like helping them unlock a superpower they didn’t know they had access to.

I’ve been working really hard over this year to begin to develop resources for teachers and parents to be able to access and support their students at home. I’m looking forward to finally getting these out soon! Also, I’ve been working in partnership with Macaroni Kids in the Montgomery, Woodlands, & Conroe areas to bring informative articles to their readers about all things reading, from combating summer slide to key milestones to target at each grade level! Be on the lookout for these postings!

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?

First, I believe you need to be passionate about what you are doing and who you are serving. No one is going to care more about your business than you do, and you have to work it! Second, I believe you have to be a lifelong learner, always willing to seek out new knowledge and ask questions, constantly challenging yourself to do better and stretch outside your comfort zone. This also means that you have to be willing to change with the times. Learn the new things!! Lastly, I believe you have to have, or at least be willing to develop, a mind for all things business related, from the finances and taxes, to marketing and everything in between.

If you’re just staring out, I highly suggest reaching out to someone who has walked in those shoes and recruit them as your mentor. Sign up for free business classes hosted locally. Join those facebook pages that offer support for local small businesses. There are good people out there who are willing and ready to help you out when you’re in the weeds!

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

My number one obstacle right now is helping parents see the value in what I am offering them and their student. It’s been challenging to retain clients after we complete screener and consult because there is a misconception that the type of intervention I’m recommending can be done by anyone. To help change the thinking, I’m working on making the content I’m putting out more relatable, as well as being proactive about explaining my why, my process, and my goals to parents. I want to be as transparent as possible, and make sure the parents are as informed as possible about what reading intervention is, and how it can truly help their struggling readers!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.themiddlemattersco.com
• Instagram: @themiddlemattersco
• Facebook: @themiddlemattersco

Image Credits

Art Elevated Media