Tanya R. Liverman is an Educarer, author, and motivational speaker who treats life as a big classroom. She was formerly employed as a special education instructional assistant for Hampton City Schools until June 2015. She is currently working full time for her own company, Native Productions.

Tanya is a passionate advocate for student-centered learning environments. She is the author of Journey to Legacy: A Poetic Timeline of My Life, which highlights her life and Native American culture (2012), and Memoirs of an Educarer, which inspires every role in education (2011). Students have taught me to embrace everything they bring to the classroom,” Liverman said. “One student taught me to be strong because her home life was the worst of any student I knew. I let her know she had the power of success or failure in her hands. She chose to succeed.”

Liverman encourages teachers to “be humble, be bold, and be open” and to employ relationship tools to educate, inspire, and motivate students. 

“Don’t be afraid to try new things,” Liverman said. “What worked one year or in one class may not work in your current year or class. Some students perform poorly because of a prior experience with a teacher or subject. Don’t be afraid to learn about them and introduce the lesson in a way that relates to them.” 

Born in 1973 to Matthew Hazzard and Carla Pierce Hazzard, Liverman grew up in Southern New Jersey, where a sequence of life events fostered her love of writing poetry.

Also known as “Spirited Dancer,” Liverman and her maternal family are citizens of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Indians of Bridgeton, NJ. She describes her ancestry in the second edition of Journey to Legacy as well in her book Reflections from the Soul, which offers a powerful musical CD of her spoken word that accompanies the book.

“Spirited Dancer” is more than a moniker. Liverman is a praise dance instructor at her church, Empowered Believers Christian Learning Center in Hampton, Virginia, and shares her gift with other churches, organizations, and outreach venues. 

Liverman and her husband Vance are both ordained ministers at Empowered Believers under the leadership of Pastor John Young and serve together as marriage ministry directors. They have been married for over 20 years and have six boys and a girl. Holding on to her faith, Liverman launched the “Journey to Legacy” show on Blog Talk Radio, and now gained over sixty thousand hits since it launched in March 2012. The show inspires listeners to understand their purposes in life, motivates them to do what they are called to do, and encourages them to build their relationships with God.

While employed in her school district, she founded a leadership, mentoring program in 2008, G.I.R.L.S. with P.E.A.R.L.S., which helps eighth-grade girls transition to high school. To date, over 100 girls have successfully completed the program. One student faced depression, suicide, gangs, and sex, but chose to remain in the after-school program rather than succumb to peer pressure. “Her life has changed dramatically,” Liverman said. “She has now moved on to high school and takes advanced placement courses. The impact of the program has transformed all of our lives. I learn so much from them.” G.I.R.L.S. with P.E.A.R.L.S is now a licensed small business in the city of Hampton, providing services to Hampton Roads and is TITLE I funds approved. The curriculum is now ready for others to purchase with training to have this wonderful program in their school, community center, or church.

In 2012, Tanya launched her business, Native Productions to help people reach their business and personal goals. Through consulting in book publishing, broadcasting, design services, and music management, she is truly making dreams come true and revealing living legacies in clients across the country.

To contact Tanya R. Liverman about media requests, her program for girls, or speaking engagements, please e-mail tlive@nativeproductionsva.com