Tiffani Teachey is a Sr. Mechanical Engineer, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) advocate, TEDx international speaker, and international best-selling author of the children’s book, What Can I Be? STEM Careers from A to Z and two women empowerment books. She is the host of the Read It Right Radio Show on WDRBmedia. Tiffani is the owner of Thrive Edge Publishing and owner/publishing consultant of Inspired Authors Publishing. She helps industry and business leaders publish children’s books about their field to inspire children to choose the same path.
FWM: As an engineer with over eighteen years of experience, you are passionate about inspiring the next generation to engage in STEM careers. Share your background.
I was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. I initially wanted to be a lawyer because I could debate. However, it was with the help of my parents that I was guided towards becoming an engineer. My mom is a retired school teacher and my father was an entrepreneur. My parents had my brother and I in a Math & Science Saturday Academy in which we learned about problem solving and how to build on our math and science skills and excel in our classes. It was also my father’s client who was a civil engineer that encouraged his kids to go into engineering as it’s a great career to consider.
Well, both my brother and I became engineers. I went to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte for both my bachelors of science degree in Mechanical Engineering and my masters of science degree in Engineering Management. Im a PhD student in the Leadership Studies Program at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. I am going on eighteen years in the industry.
As an engineer, I’ve always been asked to talk to the kids about how they can become an engineer and what engineers do through school visits. It was then that I realized that many kids have never been exposed to engineering or STEM careers. I wanted to put it in writing and become an international best-selling of What Can I Be? STEM Careers from A to Z children’s book.
I have a passion for inspiring the next generation to engage in STEM careers, enjoy traveling, and being a youth mentor.
FWM: You are an international TedX Speaker and Children’s Author. Your best-selling book, What Can I Be? STEM Careers from A-Z has inspired children globally. Tell us about your work as a much sought-after speaker and children’s author.
I have been able to have the children’s book What Can I Be? STEM Careers from A to Z translated into Spanish, French, and Swahili, a coloring and activity book, and a teacher’s guide. I have been booked to speak at several conferences and podcasts, became an international TEDx Speaker with the University of South Africa, became a radio show host, and featured on various media platforms such as WE Magazine, Medium, Swag Her Magazine, Brainz Magazine, Woman to Woman Talk Magazine, On Mogul, Grit Daily, and South Carolina Voyager. I have also been featured on NBC, Fox, and CBS. I have had the opportunity to go to three different countries in Africa including Ghana, Johannesburg, and Botswana all within 3 months, and speak and share my books with the kids in Africa. Topics for speaking engagements includes How to Accelerate Your Child’s STEM Skills, How to Boost Your Child’s STEM Skills in 30 Mins or Less, How to Get Girls & Women into STEM, Unleashing the Resiliency Within, and How to Publish the Right Book.
FWM: Tell us about Inspired Authors Publishing and how you are inspiring authors publishing.
Inspired Authors Publishing is a publishing agency that can create beautifully illustrated children’s books, entertaining coloring & activity books, novels, and journals. Ghostwriting and translation services are avaliable. Based on my passion and experience in publishing children’s books about a field to inspire children to choose the same path, Inspired Authors Publishing specializes in helping industry and business leaders make a lasting impact in the industry with children’s books. Inspired Authors Publishing can take industry and business leader’s career, bring their vision to life, and create a children’s book that both kids and parents will love.
FWM: What do you enjoy the most about educating others about STEM?
One of the things I enjoy most about educating others about STEM is the ability to inspire and empower young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. Through my work as an author and speaker, I have been able to reach a wide audience and share the message that STEM fields are not only important for our future, but also exciting and rewarding.
I also enjoy the opportunity to share my message on a global scale. Being able to translate my book into multiple languages and speak at conferences and on podcasts and media platforms around the world has given me the chance to connect with young people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Additionally, I find it deeply rewarding to travel to different countries, particularly in Africa, and have the opportunity to speak and share my books with children in person. Seeing the spark of curiosity and excitement in their eyes as they learn about the different STEM careers that are available to them is truly fulfilling.
Overall, educating others about STEM is an incredible journey that allows me to inspire and empower young people to pursue their passions and make a positive impact on the world.
FWM: Tell us about your book, Pretty, Paid, and Powerful: 40 Days to Empowering the Woman Within. What is your mission for your book?
Pretty, Paid, and Powerful: 40 Days to Empowering the Woman Within is a women empowerment book that inspires and empowers the woman within you. During this forty-day journey, women are challenged to dream, plan, and execute their goals day by day. I share how to unleash the resiliency within by elevating your excellence. I share that one should walk in your purpose by being resilient, being your authentic self, and being persistent. Having a resilient mindset will guide you and keep you moving towards positivity despite all obstacles that comes your way.
I’ve learned to walk in my purpose by being resilient, being my authentic self, and being persistent. I went from a young woman with failures and doubts in life to becoming an unstoppable courageous woman who is living my life like it’s golden. The journey has not been easy, however, it challenged me as an African American female engineer in a male-dominated field. As a young engineer out of school, I struggled with imposter syndrome and felt as if I had to prove myself and my competence at times. Despite the various challenges and awareness that come with being in a male-dominated field, it has shown me the importance of and needs for more women in STEM fields to have a seat at the table. I share steps to being resilient and walking in your purpose in the book.
FWM: What has been the greatest award during your career?
The greatest award during my career has been that I have and continue to make a difference and impact the world. Receiving the UNC Charlotte Alumni Distinguished Alumni Award and the UNC Charlotte College of Engineering Alumni Champion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award is certainly a great achievement in my career.
The UNC Charlotte Alumni Distinguished Alumni Award is given to alumni who have made significant contributions to their profession, community, and the university. This award recognizes the impact that I have made in my field of engineering and the role that my alma mater played in my success. It is a great honor to be recognized by my alma mater and to join the ranks of other distinguished alumni who have made a difference in their respective fields.
The UNC Charlotte College of Engineering Alumni Champion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award is also a great achievement in my career as it recognizes my efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of engineering. This award acknowledges the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the STEM field and the impact that it can have on the lives of students and professionals. The award also serves as a reminder of the responsibility that I have to continue to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of engineering and STEM education.
Receiving these awards is a great honor and recognition of the hard work and dedication I have put into my career. It is a reminder that my efforts have been recognized and appreciated, and it serves as a motivation to continue to make a positive impact in the field of STEM education and engineering.
For more about Tiffani, visit her website at www.tiffaniteachey.com and www.iapublishagency.com. Free STEM gift at www.stemistheway.com. Free publishing ebook at www.publishtherightbook.com.
