Vanessa (not her real name) was like most students—energetic, ambitious and outgoing, but she just didn’t have a mind for numbers. While she achieved decent grades in her other classes, mathematical concepts that other students would grasp with seeming ease were a constant struggle for her. As you can imagine, this made the 95 percent she received on her math test an especially sweet victory.
The first person she shared the news with was her tutor, Ashley Wilson.
“She hadn’t even told her mom yet,” Wilson said. “It’s those things that make me happy, when kids get excited and know they can do it.”
As founder of Lowcountry Tutoring & Test Prep, Wilson has helped countless students through this exact hardship. Alongside her, fellow tutors Deirdre Johns (English), Anna Martinez (Math), Kimberlee Lamotte (Spanish) and Liz Patterson (Science) are helping students to get ahead, something that has become increasingly important in recent years.
“COVID has done a number on these kids. They’ve been thrown into a situation that I don’t know how well I would have handled at their age,” Wilson said. “Helping these kids, giving them that support and confidence, is probably the biggest reason we do what we do.”
Wilson founded Lowcountry Tutoring & Test Prep after a 10-year teaching career. With young children at home, she faced the same conundrum many parents face: paying daycare to watch children while you work, then seeing much of your paycheck going to childcare. “That was the nudge I needed to venture out into tutoring. I never expected it to be a business,” she said. “Boy, was I wrong.”
Her small tutoring business grew from her garage to a small space within Kroger at Buckwalter Place to a dedicated office space in Old Town Bluffton. Realizing that the demand was strong for high quality tutoring across a variety of subjects, she expanded. This past year alone, her team reached more than 100 students.
“Everyone on our staff is a veteran teacher who is an expert in their field,” Wilson said. “I love helping teachers supplement their income, so it’s a real win/win.”
Technically, it’s a win/win/win. Wilson gets to expand the number of students her company can help; teachers get an extra revenue stream; and students get access to ideal solutions for their unique educational needs.
“I wanted to give students a different experience than the large franchises. I wanted them to get that individualized attention,” Wilson said. Beyond additional instruction, Wilson offers students SAT and ACT test prep as well as full support for entering college, from dealing with admissions to applying for scholarships and even crafting essays.
“One of my clients called it a ‘boutique tutoring service,’ and I just loved that,” Wilson said. “We really cater to everything that the kid and the parents need, communicating with teachers and coming up with lessons places to help them succeed. When they get with us, they stay with us until the kid graduates.”
Viewed through that lens, it makes sense that Vanessa’s first thought would be to share her success with her tutor. What Lowcountry Tutoring & Test Prep does is more than just assistance. It’s a partnership.
“I thrive on getting to know these kids and their families,” Wilson said. “And the parents love that their kids not only have a tutor, they have a mentor.”
To get your student on the road to success, visit lowcountrytutoring.com.
“Ashley is an angel on Earth, a really smart angel! She tutors both my son (sophomore) and daughter (eighth grade). The disruptions of the pandemic resulted in my son being disengaged, lacking motivation, and underperforming. Ashley is incredibly patient, practical, totally ‘gets’ my son, and is strategic in planning for his needs. She explains concepts clearly and is sensitive to boosting his confidence. She has also helped my daughter regain her confidence and overcome test anxiety. My daughter looks forward to her sessions with Ashley and always finishes with a smile on her face. Ashley is making a positive impact and bridging the learning gaps that so many kids are struggling with. She is an excellent teacher, a great mentor, and a lovely person. I’m so thankful for Ashley!”
—Brenda Bibee
