Education doesn’t end when the school bell rings. In Episode 3 of Bama Knows Education, host Sheila Banister sits down with L.J. Walker, Founder and Executive Director of Better Than Average Tutoring, to discuss how personalized learning is helping students thrive across Alabama.
L.J. shares his remarkable journey of launching Better Than Average Tutoring at just 16 years old and growing it into one of Alabama’s leading tutoring organizations. Together, Sheila and L.J. explore innovative approaches to academic support, the growing demand for individualized learning, and how Alabama’s expanding school choice landscape is creating new opportunities for families to find the educational resources that best meet their children’s needs.
The conversation also highlights the critical role parents play in their children’s education, why strong partnerships between families and educators matter, and how tutoring can build both academic confidence and long-term success.
Whether you’re a parent, educator, or advocate for educational freedom, this episode offers practical insights into how personalized education can empower every student to reach their full potential.
Episode Highlights:
- The foundation and growth of Better Than Average Tutoring
- The role of entrepreneurship and tutoring in education
- School choice policies in Alabama
- The importance of parental involvement in education
- The concept of an educational ecosystem
About the Guest:
L.J. Walker is the Founder and Executive Director of Better Than Average Tutoring, an award-winning educational organization that has delivered more than 25,000 tutoring sessions and over one million minutes of instruction to students across Alabama. A Montgomery native and graduate of Auburn University at Montgomery, L.J. founded the organization while still in high school with a mission to make high-quality academic support accessible, engaging, and transformative. Under his leadership, Better Than Average Tutoring has earned multiple “Best Tutoring Service” awards, received the 2025 Community Impact Award from the City of Montgomery, and continues to expand educational opportunities for students and families throughout the state.
More on Guest:
- Better Than Average Tutoring
- Phone – 334-802-1315
- Email – [email protected]
More on Bama Knows Education/Links Mentioned in Episode:
- Love Your School Alabama Website
- Love Your School Alabama Instagram
- Love Your School Alabama Facebook
- Love Your School Alabama X
- The CHOOSE Act