Trail-blazing Educator and Entrepreneur, breaking codes and giving back in every way she can. This is Jay Brown!

CR8VSPOT: Tell us all about yourself

Jay Brown: I am a wife to my incredible husband for 10 years (upcoming) and a mom of 2 boys. I’ve been an educator for about 13 years, and currently a K-5 Math Coach. In addition, I serve on a Core Educational Team as Teacher Leader Advisor, as well as provide professional development to educators.

I’m also an education blogger and content creator. I have a passion to partner with teachers, to create classrooms where students enjoy Math. I want students to experience Math in a joyful way, hence Joyful Math. I provide resources to support students on a website called Teachers Pay Teachers. As you can see, I’m practically married to education as my husband is an Education Administrator as well!

CR8VSPOT: What inspired you to tread on this pathway?

JB: In my Math journey in grade school, I thought the Math tricks were cool, but I always had a desire to know why those tricks worked. I felt like my teachers were keeping something from me. I had a strong desire to understand Math concepts. When I became an education major at LSU, my favorite class easily became Math Methods. It’s where I discovered why all of the tricks worked. The math concepts that I learned, made Math make sense to me. I feel like if everyone knew these concepts, there wouldn’t be such hate that surrounds Mathematics in our country. I fell in love with Math concepts and I’m passionate about seeing others give Math a second chance at love (smiles).

CR8VSPOT: You’re creative on multiple fronts. Tell us about your businesses.

JB: As mentioned earlier, I have a store called Joyful Math where I provide resources I create on a website for educators called Teachers Pay Teachers. These resources are to assist students in upper elementary math. A big component of supporting students is self-efficacy, so my resources aim to support students through building self-efficacy and decreasing their math anxiety.

My husband and I also have an LLC to support local and foreign missions. My family has the trait of being creative with our hands. I love creating home decor crafts such as personalized rugs, door wreaths, wood signs, etc. We have the heart to give generously to missions in our city first, as well as foreign missions. We thought it would be such a blessing to give 50% of our profits to missions.

—“This mission is bigger than me. I play a small role in the larger vision of supporting students and meeting their needs.”

CR8VSPOT: What do you do with your free time when you’re not switching between computers or solving a math problem?

JB: When I’m not switching between computers, I’m entertaining my sweet littles and spending time with my husband. We love to travel to the beach, read books and discuss hot topics in education.

CR8VSPOT: To some people, being an Educator may be just about the paycheck or a hobby. What is it to you?

JB: Education is my calling and purpose in life. I’m a firm believer that I have been put in this space to be a light to my students and others in this industry. I have a strong conviction that I do my work unto God. Each student has been placed in my path for a very specific reason. I believe that God intentionally placed them in my path because He has equipped me to give them something that they are longing for academically as well as emotionally.

As an educator, this mission is bigger than me. I play a small role in the larger vision of supporting students and meeting their needs.

— “It’s so easy to lose motivation because you don’t see instant gratification...”

CR8VSPOT: What would you say is the most difficult part of running multiple businesses and how do you stay motivated?

JB: The most difficult part is definitely finding the time to get tasks completed. I stay motivated by doing daily devotions that encourage and motivate me to keep going. It’s so easy to lose motivation because you don’t see instant gratification. It’s definitely a long game, but I’m reminded of my purpose daily so I keep going.

CR8VSPOT: With your reach and exposure, are you involved in any form of community service or giving back to society?

JB: My husband and I have the opportunity to serve in a mentorship program at our local church. We are on the board of executive team leaders, overseeing the academic component of it. We work to equip students to fulfill their purpose by becoming lifelong learners.

Another way we give back is through the LLC I mentioned earlier. We’ve been able to participate in missions expos and sell items we designed to raise funds for missions trips. No matter how big or small, we are blessed to be able to give when we can.

— “Placing yourself in uncomfortable roles can teach the greatest lessons.”

CR8VSPOT: As businesses continue to evolve, is there a long-term challenge you are considering tackling?

JB: My long-term challenge is for my husband and I to rally a community of educators that have the same passion that we do for education. We want to unite in purpose to provide the highest quality of education that we can to make an impact on the students in our country.

CR8VSPOT: There must be something big on your mind. What would your dream project or collaboration be?

JB: It would be to provide high-quality education to underserved populations within a Christian context.

CR8VSPOT: If you had the opportunity to speak to someone doubting their purpose in life, what would you tell them?

JB: I would tell them to seek clarity but continue moving forward. Placing yourself in uncomfortable roles can teach the greatest lessons. Pursue the things that you are passionate about, but be faithful where you are until the passions can turn into something that you do full time.