Meet Melissa Leonard | Founder of ML Tutoring

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Leonard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Sharing is the most important factor behind the success of ML Tutoring. Referrals from friends, family, past students, and current students are what drive my company and keep ML Tutoring running. ML Tutoring currently has students learning in-person or virtually in 12 different states! This would not be possible without the support I’ve received over the last year and people’s willingness to share our Instagram, write a testimonial on our website, or simply just share our name and our story in conversation when an opportunity to do so arises. A lot of people think supporting a small business means spending money, but that isn’t the only way… I think sharing a company’s name, mission, story, etc., is the best way to support a small business because there is no limit to how far the word can travel.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I feel the wide variety of experiences I have had throughout my career is what sets me apart from others. I have been an educator for over ten years, but I was constantly trying to find my perfect fit. I taught in public schools, private schools, international schools, and virtually. Within these locations, I had multiple different roles. I was the lead teacher, an inclusion specialist, a reading specialist, an English as a Second Language teacher both in the US and abroad, and a private tutor both in-person and online, and more. As I bounced around different teaching jobs, I continued keeping my options open and I eventually found Child Life. I went back to school, completed a competitive internship in a pediatric hospital, and have since earned the title of Child Life Specialist (CLS). A CLS is an expert in child development trained to educate, prepare, and support children and families with any adverse experiences thrown their way. Our ultimate goal is to reduce children/families’ stress and anxiety in any situation and increase their ability to cope with future stressors.

I started ML Tutoring one year ago, after seeing and hearing about far too many students and parents struggling with virtual schooling. I wanted to facilitate a positive learning environment that is supportive, engaging, and unique to each student’s needs, an environment where students can thrive and build confidence in their own skills at a pace that is conducive to their learning. So, as a previous teacher and current CLS, I knew ML Tutoring would be successful. The combination of my skills, knowledge of child development, and my past experiences as an educator have helped me create a learning platform where students can overcome obstacles and reach their full potential.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love all the scenic spots in San Diego, so it would be difficult to narrow down where exactly we should go… but I would definitely take my best friend to ride bikes on Coronado, visit the dog beach with my pup, and eat/drink at Peohe’s for happy hour or The Henry. We would also go to Sunset Cliffs in OB, hike in La Jolla, surf, and go out to dinner in Little Italy at Bencotto, or one of the many other delicious restaurants in that area. A beach day would be a must as well!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Before I started ML Tutoring, I assisted a good friend with her small business in Pacific Beach as it quickly took off following her grand opening. I became the manager and we hired a handful of employees to help run the store. Megan Iverson, owner of Blooms and Threads, is the face and creativity behind the adorable vintage and upcycled thrift store on Garnet Ave, and I was the organization behind the scenes. It was in this role that I found great enjoyment in organizational leadership and it was Megan, who pushed me to pursue my goals of starting my own company. I had never worked in retail and longterm I had no desire to…I was a teacher and am now a child life specialist [and business owner]… but working at Blooms and Threads gave me the confidence boost I needed to take a risk and start ML Tutoring. Megan’s passion and determination to make her dream a reality, despite countless ups and downs, was truly inspiring and she has been equally as supportive of ML Tutoring.

Website: MLtutoring.net

Instagram: @MLTutoring

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-leonard-a66765b3/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ML-Tutoring-109902834489161