Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsay Porter.
Hi Lindsay, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I always say I had the best of both worlds, a Just Girl from Memphis. I know what it was like to grow up with and without in Memphis, which gave me a more relatable perspective on children in Memphis. Like most kids in the ’80s, I spent my formative years with grandparents while my parents worked.
My paternal and maternal grandparents came from two different walks of life: however, both instilled in me the importance of God, integrity, hard work, and gratitude. Education was important in my life; my mom placed me in French class at age 5; she knew the importance of learning a second language early. My aunt would give us mini lessons on prepositions.
My paternal grandmother read to my cousins and me religiously, and I would ride the bus to the local library and read with my maternal grandmother. Later, I would spend summers and afternoons with my godmother as she was the neighborhood childcare/summer camp center director. Unbeknownst to me, all these women laid the foundation for who I am and all I’ve obtained today.
My maternal granddaddy laid the blueprint for entrepreneurship for our family. In contrast, his children followed their successful paths while his grandchildren and great-grandchildren followed in his footsteps and became entrepreneurs in various fields.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Ahh… Bumpy, but nothing I couldn’t handle!
Let’s say it was smooth once I let go of the unknown (fear) and got out of my way. I believe in divine purpose. When you walk in your purpose, no matter the obstacles, what is for you will be, and it has been for me. I enter year 15 as an educator and year eight as an entrepreneur.
The transition from educator to entrepreneur/educator was smooth. Learning the business aspect while going through the motion has been bumpy. I’m still learning eight years later. Life can sometimes throw you boulders, but you suit up and climb over or go around, but you don’t stop, at least not me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am adamant about preparing our youth for primary school and ensuring our young scholars in Memphis have a rich solid foundation to build upon; I don’t believe in making things hard.
I think of education as a domino effect. If I do my job on the preschool level, then once the scholar goes to kindergarten, the following teacher picks up where the other left off until that scholar completes their educational journey.
I specialize in an intentional, transformational outside-the-box preschool learning curriculum: service-learning and academic excellence through a partnership with parents to help develop and nurture the whole child.
I set myself apart because I never looked to any other program or person as a guide, whereas I decided to do it my way while developing the blueprint for others to follow. In the word of Nina Simone, “I’ll tell what freedom is to me, no fear.” I am most free when creating outside-the-box lessons and experiences for our scholars and families.
I am proud of the scholars who graduate from our program. They are excelling!! Our relationships with families do not stop at graduation; they are lifelong. We are a community; families keep in touch, and scholars build lasting friendships.
Miniature Minds Private Day School enthusiastically welcome families who seek to partner with a community that educates with intentionality and integrity. Enrollment opens October 1st through October 31st.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Experience is good; however, if you’re not constantly learning and growing in your respective field, the years of experience is pointless when you’re not making strides to transform the next generation in your profession.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.miniatureminds.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/miniatureminds
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/minimindspds
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/miniatureminds
Image Credits
Miniature Minds Private Day School and Demarcus Bowser
