Dr. Tatiana Wells, the founder and CEO of Aurelius Wells Education, LLC (AWE), is well-known for positively impacting the lives of those around her. Dr. Wells is also the Program Director for Early Childhood and Teacher Education at Cuyahoga Community College, where she uses her knowledge of early childhood and community connections to develop tomorrow's educators. An author of two books, Wells encourages others to "Live Like a Toddler: Be the Young Explorer of Your Life," by applying their childlike faith to pursue their dreams and shares a heartwarming story for parents and children in the children's book, "Mommy, When I Fall." As a Doctor of Education, Dr. Wells' study focuses on developing shared leadership and trust within school-community partnerships in concentrated poverty communities. Dr. Wells believes education and community service should be relational and humanistic, adhering to the South African Ubuntu philosophy of "I am because we are; therefore, I am." Relationships enable us to construct our schools, communities, and families. Two are better than one because the other will pick them up if one falls.

 

East Cleveland native Dr. Wells is a proud graduate of Shaw High School. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Child Development and Education at Washington & Jefferson College, her Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education at the University of Phoenix, and her Philosophy of Education degree from Walden University, specializing in leadership, policy, and education management P-20. 

 

Dr.Wells is well-known in Cleveland for her work with children and families. She formerly worked as an Early Learning Navigator through a collaboration between the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Cleveland and Starting Point in Cleveland's Central Promise Neighborhood. She received the Servant Leadership Award for six years of service to the "littlest children" by developing a high-touch relational support system to assist families in navigating high-quality early learning programs and transitioning to the K-12 school system. Dr. Wells is a passionate community educator who has guided children of all ages from early childhood to college and career pathways for over 20 years. She works tirelessly to ensure that children of color become future leaders and that families thrive as they overcome poverty-related traumas. 

 

Dr. Wells is also no stranger to advocacy. She is a member of several boards, including East End Neighborhood House, where she is board chair, The Centers, The Cuyahoga Women's Democratic Caucus Steering Committee, and The Black Child Development Institute of Ohio.

 

When Dr. Wells is not in the office, classroom, or boardroom, she enjoys dancing, basketball, or traveling with friends and family.