Dr. Tawio J. Barksdale, President
Dr. Barksdale is an author and the founder of Infinity Aspirations. He has been an educator for over 20 years. Dr. Barksdale has served in multiple positions from classroom teacher, and an instructional and math coach. Additionally, he has served in the roles of school administrator, district recruiter, and district crisis management trainer.
Through organizational change consulting, Dr. Barksdale motivates districts and schools in creating student-centered programs and initiatives as well as conducting reflective sessions with organizations that equip them with strategies for assessing and maintaining these programs. He also provides training and workshops for staff on the use of creative culturally responsive strategies relative to academics, classroom management, behavior modification, and community building.
He received his BS in Elementary Education from South Carolina State University and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from the University of Southern California.
Alon T. Barksdale, Student Mentorship, Data Collection, and Marketing
Through sharing his knowledge and experiences, Alon has been a catalyst for numerous initiatives within the organization. Currently, Alon is a college student. Alon attended Susquehanna University, Pennsylvania, where he played for the men’s basketball team for two years. He now attends Claflin University, South Carolina, where he has also been a college athlete - playing traveling club basketball as well as competing on the Claflin University track team. Alon majors in Psychology. He is considering a career in sports psychology along with a couple of other potential avenues in the arena of mental health.
While in high school, Alon served as a counselor for the Boys and Girls Club, and he was also president of the local Junior Toastmasters. Alon’s school experiences and perspectives have been critical resources for data collection pertinent to recognizing the academic and social and emotional needs of students as learners and as individuals - knowledge that helps guide discussions of equity and access with districts, schools, and classrooms. Alon is a positive and encouraging mentor to students the organization serves. He provides mentorship to elementary and middle school students in the areas of responsible decision-making and perseverance and resiliency. Additionally, Alon has provided mentorship and informational talks to high school student-athletes about the physical, mental, and behavioral requirements it takes to survive being a college athlete. He also helps with marketing books and education services offered by Infinity Aspirations, LLC.