Who Me? Well...

First of all, thank you for clicking that about me link. Ai notification - Just kidding I wrote this...

I'm Tawanna, but my dad calls me Frank, because who needs logic, right?
I’m just T for some, and there are plenty others but I’ll spare you the time.

TL;DR: I've not only curated pixels for over two decades in Graphic Design and Education, but also flexed my creative muscles by penning and designing three books. I love photography and I recently jumped into Video production. Look at my portfolio and hire me!

Want a longer somewhat informal explanation? Ok here we go!
So, I'd say I'm a multipotentialite because my professional interests span multiple fields or areas. My main focus and skill set is centered around Graphic Design, Education, Video Production and Writing, with a little dose of clean humor.

Art and Education form a fascinating powerhouse. That's my manifesto quote below that's right clickable. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education in my hands hoping to encourage future geniuses. All kids are geniuses in their own right. (Did you check if you could right click?)

"Everything created started with imagination. Art and education form a fascinating powerhouse. - T.Shantelle

Graphic Design

As a Graphic Designer of many (many) years, my design inspiration traces back to a story a former graphic design instructor who told me about an unexpected outcome from a design his design firm created. Their promotional materials for an event became so coveted because people thought they were actual artwork and began taking them home. Basically the design was so good, people were ripping them off. While it presented a problem for event advertising, it was a high compliment to the designers. My inspiration in design is to create pieces that captivate viewers to the point where they want to keep them. Much to my surprise, when I was told that people collected my sermon marketing pieces, it felt like mission accomplished and continues when I design. In my portfolio I have variety projects showcasing educational materials, book covers, book layout, logos, promotional materials, product labels, websites, and digital videos.

Education

In the world of education, I use my Masters in Elementary Education and Bachelors in Graphic Design to bring smiles and spark curiosity in young minds. Education at any level doesn't have to be boring, so I encourage, inspire, and add a bit of fun while teaching any subject. I have been a home educator for over 23 years (and counting), I’ve taught classes in graphic design, typography, layout and design, photography, and recently I’ve created educational materials and videos on Social Emotional topics. My journey in education started in the early 2000s when I lacked resources (and funds) to teach my own kids. Being a problem solver, I created my own educational materials such as books, flashcards, word lists, worksheets, etc to teach with. It turned out to be quite an enjoyable adventure for us! I loved teaching my little ones and I had the opportunity to teach adults online. After creating my own typography, photoshop and graphic design curriculum for classes, I found myself on the frontier of online education, earning title of “Exceptional Online Educator” in 2003 from Universal Class. It was the dawn of (uncertified at that time) online education. I went on to teach for several years at Eclectic Academy and a couple of in person photography classes at our homeschool co-op for teens.

Author

So, I've also flexed my creative muscles by penning and designing three books—because who says designers can't be creative authors too? My work isn't just about understanding of design principles, it's also about expressing my passion for encouragement, storytelling and effective communication. Becoming an author was a dream of mine for years. My first book was written to help young people value gratitude. It started out as an idea for curriculum to download, but I had much more to say after I got started writing. Instead of creating just as a downloadable PDF document, I decided it was time for me to be brave and write a book. So in 2022I published my first book title 30 Day Gratitude Journal: 30 Days of Celebrating Your Big and Small Moments. The satisfaction of being an author was mine! I had created book covers and designed book layouts for authors and watched them reveal in their books and now I was a part of that circle. It felt great. I followed up with writing two more books with my daughters and son. We created journal together books to help family get to know one other better and have fun doing so. So, the Hey Love, Let's Journal was created with the input from my daughters, and the Hey Buddy, Let's Journal was created with input from my son. I see gratitude and human connection as powerful assets in relationships.

Video Production

In 2020, through the request of my daughters wanting to create a YouTube channel I got to fulfill another one of my life long desires, video production. The girls came to me and said, "Mom, we want a YouTube channel." They were about 10 and 8 years old then and my protective mom brain started thinking of all the multifaceted things that this involved. So instead of saying a firm no, I thought well maybe. I listened to their ideas and told them my requirements for allowing such adventures through "The YouTube". One requirment was to give their viewers something they can walk away with. "Yes, you are cute but that's not enough. You have to give your viewers something worth spending their time with you." So, edutainment it was! In essence my love for design, education and a desire to get into video production prompted me to assist them with their YouTube channel. As we brainstormed through ideas for their show, I stepped into the role of a YouTube content creator and Bear and Bee Productions was founded. The creative force behind the Talky Talk Show began in our living room. In this show, I wear many hats behind the scenes while coming up with educational ideas to turn into videos for young audiences. I enjoy the challenge of transforming our brainstormed concepts into visual experiences using video production and graphic design. Scriptwriting is a key part of my work as well. Creating narratives that blend information and entertainment for an viewer experience has been rewarding.

The Oz of Administrative

Beyond my creative shenanigans, I've gained extensive administrative experience in supervising and playing the maestro in my kids' entertainment careers. As their dedicated POCA, I've gained skills in administration and navigating the entertainment industry. I’ve stumbled up on the art of juggling auditions, maintaining schedules, the occasional bout of industry drama and playing the role of their personal paparazzi. From coordinating auditions to managing schedules to promoting their work, to filming auditions according to casting specifications, this wild ride gives me an inside look at the world of entertainment and it has taught me to value the many talented people in the entertainment industry. I've embraced the creative chaos and responsibilities of the POCA life while I am able to work remotely. This unique experience has not only deepened my understanding of the entertainment field but has also allowed me to apply my creative and organizational skills in new and exciting ways.

...but most of all

From the creation of vibrant designs, learning resources and video production, my creative pursuits have evolved over time like my nicknames. Listen, I do a lot of things that I genuinely enjoy, but most of all I’m a proud mom, wife, and lifelong learner. If you’ve made it this far, thank you so much for reading. I appreciate your time. Feel free to connect with me on Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn. Thanks for reading and I hope connect soon!

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