Meet the Founders
Emily Meeks, M.Ed.
Emily Meeks is a passionate and results-driven educator with a strong background in instructional best practices and student achievement. As the daughter of a retired educator, her lifelong dedication to learning and education has shaped her career. With over 11 years of experience as an educator, content specialist, and facilitator, she has worked to enhance instructional effectiveness and student success.
Throughout her career in public education, Emily has led impactful professional learning workshops at both the school and district levels. Her commitment to fostering student growth earned her prestigious recognitions, including the Student Improvement Grant (2017) and the Race to the Top Grant for consistently improving student outcomes.
Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of West Georgia and a Master of Education in Adult Education from Strayer University.
Through Focused Minds Education Group, she is dedicated to creating sustainable, equity-driven changes that promote resilience and academic success for both adolescents and adults.
Taneesha Thomas, M.Ed.
With over 20 years of experience in education, Taneesha Thomas is a dedicated Teacher Leader and Instructional Coach committed to empowering educators and school leaders. As a results-driven instructional leader, she specializes in training and supporting principals and teachers to enhance their professional capacity, turning vision into action for measurable success.
Taneesha’s expertise spans various leadership roles, including serving as an Education Curriculum Specialist for the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice. She has also held key positions as a Ninth Grade Academy Coordinator, Smaller Learning Communities Instructional Coach, and Enhanced Freshman Academy Coach within Metro Atlanta school districts.
A highly sought-after professional development facilitator, Taneesha has designed and led impactful workshops at the district and state levels across Indiana, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama. She also served as a Master Instructional Coach for DeKalb County Schools, where she played a critical role in curriculum alignment, assessment/data analysis, and educator training.
Taneesha holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Tennessee State University and a Master of Science in Adult Education from Troy University.
Through Focused Minds Education Group, she is dedicated to driving meaningful, equity-centered change that helps schools engage students and prepare them for success in the 21st century.