Q: First tell us something about yourself ?
Tiffani Teachey is a Sr. Mechanical Engineer, STEM advocate, professional speaker, and international best-selling author of the children’s book What Can I Be? STEM Careers from A to Z and women’s empowerment books called Saving Lives While Fighting for Mine: Stories to Empower Women to Win and Pretty, Paid, & Powerful: 40 Days to Empower the Woman Within. As an engineer with more than sixteen years of experience, Tiffani has a passion for inspiring the next generation to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) careers. She was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, enjoys traveling and being a youth mentor. For more about Tiffani, visit her website at www.TiffaniTeachey.com.
Q: How and when did your journey start as a writer?
I became a writer around September 2019 when I saw a five day challenge in a facebook group called How to self publish your bestselling book challenge with book coach Crystal Swain-Bates. I was able to learn how to write, build my book team ie. illustrator, editor, book formatter, and book cover designer, and publish my book. I was able to publish within two and half months a #1 Bestseller in STEM education.
Q: When did you write your first story? Is it published or not?
I wrote my first story for What Can I Be? STEM Careers from A to Z children’s book around the end of September 2019 and I published the book in December 2019.
Q: Tell us something more about your books?
What Can I Be? STEM Careers from A to Z is an inspiring and easy-to-read alphabet picture book that teaches our next generation about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) careers.
Q: Why do you choose kids as your reader ? is there any specific reason?
I chose children 5-8 years old, kindergarten-second grade because I wanted to expose the children early to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) opportunities through books and activities before third grade. It is through research that third graders who are not reading at grade level are among the most vulnerable to later drop out of school. I want to make sure that kids are provided these key elements of exposure, opportunity, access, and knowledge to positively shape their future for success.
Q: How did these stories and characters come to your mind?
As an engineer, I am asked to speak to the students with school visits. Many times the kids have never met an engineer. It was then that I realized the importance of STEM representation specially girls and the underrepresented minorities. I decided to include the STEM Crew Kids in the book which provides colorful illustrations six diverse children representing various STEM careers helping children see themselves in one of the STEM careers, and motivates them to shape their future through STEM.
Q: Do you want to leave any message for your readers?
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) is fun and if you believe it then you can achieve it! Surround yourselves with positive people and the best is yet to come.
