This is: Rachel Stokes
Rachel Stokes is a Sanibel Island native with an extensive career as a teacher. She’s worked in Lee and Collier county, here in Southwest Florida, and now is venturing out with her private tutoring service.
10 questions with Rachel Stokes, founder of Stoked4Learning
Rachel what is your background ?
RS: Graduated UCF in '05, I hold a Masters in Reading Education Curriculum and Instruction. Taught in Lee & Collier counties school systems + in NYC for a year. Been a teacher for the last 14 years here in SWFL, took 1 year off a few years back to try out Real Estate. The year I taught in NYC I worked at the Quad Prep School.
2. What type of tutoring services do you offer?
RS: I'm tutoring and accepting students K-12. I specialize in Reading but I'm comfortable with most all subjects.
Homework help
Assisting with virtual learning and homeschooling
3. Are your services online or in person?
RS: Sessions are held on both platforms, depending on what families are comfortable with.
4. What led you to venture into tutoring?
RS: I dabbled into some tutoring while I was in NYC to supplement my teaching position, and absolutely loved it. I traveled to all 5 boroughs. Then, I moved back to FL and threw myself right back into Lee County Schools. The idea of my own tutoring business stayed in the back of my mind over the last few years. It's hard to take a risk when there's a steady paycheck and benefits, albeit not as much as teachers deserve!!
5. Do you miss public schools?
RS: I miss my students, many of my colleagues and especially my last administration at Lexington Middle School, who made the decision a difficult one for me to make. I do not miss the bureaucracy.
6. How do you help create community through your tutoring service?
RS: I am going to be working with several of the local businesses to initiate an incentive program to encourage the students in their learning. Joey from Joey's Custard, for instance. and I have talked about a custard treat reward and we're currently working out those details. It's all about having fun & learning at the same time. Joey's rocks!
Plus, having grown up on Sanibel, I am able to offer any of my knowledge and recommendations to families who may be new to the area.
7. Any advise for teachers right now starting school?
RS: Breath DEEP. Take it one day at a time. You're there for the kids. An excellent administrator I worked for years ago, Mike Carson, who just retired from being the Principal at Three Oaks Middle, taught me, it's always about the kids. AND--- please, BE SAFE.
8. Any advise for parents right now starting school?
RS: Please trust your teachers, they know what they are doing regarding the environment they're faced with. They are going through transitions as much as the students right now and for some these are very difficult times. Please let them do their job. They truly LOVE your kids and want what's BEST!
9. What inspires you daily?
RS: My frequent swims, bike rides, beach walks, catching a pretty sunset in our SWFL landscape. Starting this business in my community where I live and where I grew up is currently inspiring me daily. To try to make a little difference! Knowing during these times, many families don't have the brick and mortar option and have moved into the virtual learning/ homeschool platform, it moves me knowing I can be of help to them, being right down the street or nor far, on the other end of the island, just a 10 minute drive away.
10. What is your favorite spot in Sanibel/Captiva?
RS: There's a connecting point between Sanibel and Captiva Islands called Blind Pass. This space has brought me much peacefulness and tranquility, I have very sweet fond memories of my Dad teaching my brother to fish there. And what a great place to stop on a bike ride between islands and catch a sunset!
You can listen to the full interview below or follow us on our Gulfshore Local Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
