Meet Lindsey Wander

We were lucky to catch up with Lindsey Wander recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lindsey, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us today. We’re excited to dive into your story and your work, but first let’s start with a broader topic that might be stopping many of our readers from pursuing their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. How have you managed to persist despite haters and nay-sayers that inevitably follow folks who are doing something unique, special or off the beaten path?
I live by the rule: Don’t let others sway you away from what feels right.

In high school, I was told to just “Choose a career that makes you money, since everyone ends up hating their job anyway.” When I altered my career path from biomedical engineering to become a middle school teacher, I was told I was “wasting my intelligence.” When I left my stable job as a classroom teacher to become a full-time independent tutor, I was told I was “making a huge mistake.”

Yet, each time I knew deep down that I was doing what was right for ME.

So I ignored their “advice,” and I followed my intuition. Now I wake up each day excited to work and, perhaps more importantly, I am also now inspiring others to do the same.

We need to remember that our jobs are a huge part of our lives. If you are unhappy at work, you will be unhappy in life. Choosing what makes you happy can also make you financially secure if you are willing to put the work in – and it is worth all that work to do something you truly love.

Now I realize that much of the advice from others is informed by their own feelings – especially by their worries, insecurities, and fears. Each person has an inner dialogue that is built upon things said to them throughout their lives that they now accept as truth and allow to shape their decisions. But I cannot let the blockades plaguing others derail me from my unique path. Whenever I follow my instinct, I end up right where I was meant to be.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a former middle school math and science teacher. I taught in the low-income neighborhoods of California, making it my mission to create a learning environment that was so engaging that it motivated my students to come to school. We explored, questioned, investigated, learned, laughed, and loved – all within my classroom walls. For the sake of a better word, it was “magical.” I knew I found my calling and I knew I was making a difference. My students became my kids whom I worried about even when I wasn’t working and whom I am still in touch with until this day.

However, there was a part of me that remained unfulfilled. While I truly loved my job, I was limited. Time and financial restraints, added to endless bureaucratic red tape, prevented me from being able to dedicate the 1-on-1 time to my students who needed it. Thus, many of “my kids” fell through the cracks – and there was nothing I could do about it. So, when I moved to Chicago at the age of 30, I decided to start my own tutoring business. My mission was to help students of all abilities to not only improve their grades and scores, but to also master the underlying learning and life skills to grow into confident and independent learners, and eventually competent and conscious leaders. I sought to empower our youth with the tools to succeed in school, work, and life – so that they were in the powerful position to direct their own lives.

My methodologies were so effective that WorldWise Tutoring quickly grew beyond what I could handle alone. So I started to “teach the teachers,” guiding tutors dedicated to my cause with my best practices. I have since expanded to 100+ tutors who work with students of all ages in person throughout Illinois and into Texas, as well as online throughout the world.

When the pandemic school closures began to disproportionately impact the learning of socio-economically disadvantaged students, I decided to use my nearly two decades of experience in the education industry to found a tutoring nonprofit. Since 2020, Educate. Radiate. Elevate. has been providing high-quality learning support for underprivileged students – at no cost to their families. By providing the tools needed to grow academically and emotionally, we are positioning the youth we serve to be successful in life and to become contributing members of society.

I found a career that I love and that makes the world a better place. My goal is to inspire my students to do the same.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I am a lifelong learner. I am constantly seeking out learning opportunities and ways to improve my knowledge, my skills, and myself. I read every night before bed. I listen to podcasts while I exercise. I have surrounded myself with people who know me best and provide me with the most insightful guidance. I travel (usually alone) to places I’ve never been. I consistently put myself in new situations to force my mind to expand beyond what feels comfortable. This is how I am constantly learning and improving.

I am extremely organized. I have to be: my mind moves fast and I can be quite forgetful. So I have set up strategic and accessible systems to track information and remind me of tasks. I have spreadsheets, documents, and reminders for everything. This not only helps me stay on top of everything, but also allows me to better lead my team in a way that makes them feel informed and empowered.

I think like a scientist. I am constantly observing, questioning, hypothesizing, experimenting, and analyzing. I look at everything – including failure – as a learning experience, for even a rejected hypothesis provides valuable information. So I am not afraid to question the answers, take calculated risks, or admit defeat. How else can I learn the truly meaningful lessons? I encourage my staff and students to do the same, which gives them the freedom to follow their own unique paths without fear of judgment.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I love meeting other like-minded individuals. Thought leaders, changemakers, disruptors. People who are authentically themselves and seek to shine their light to illuminate others.

Educators are always amazing partners, as we have the same mission in different capacities. Let’s uplift each other as we strive to uplift others.

Do-ers inspire me. Those who dare to make their dreams a reality are the people I want in my corner too.

I am also drawn to “givers” and “helpers” who, like me, realize that there is much more to life than the everyday. People who look outside of themselves to the greater human experience inspire me.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Productivity
Beating Burnout

Often the key to having massive impact is the ability to keep going when others

Leadership Development
Where does your generosity come from?

Over the years, we have consistently been blown away by the examples of generosity we’ve

Productivity
From Burnout to Balance: The Role of Self-Care

Burning out is one of the primary risks you face as you work towards your