Tyana DeVeaux 

From Philly cheesesteaks to Florida Palm Trees, I am Mrs. Tyana Deveaux AKA Mrs. Here We Grow!

 

People always ask me, “Tyana, how did you end up in Florida?” The truth? I just stepped out on faith and dragged my whole family along for the wild ride. We traded cheesesteaks for sunshine, snow boots for flip-flops, and coats for swimsuits. And honestly? The only difference between childcare kids in Philly and Florida is what they’re wearing outside. Inside, the giggles, the snack requests, and the big personalities are exactly the same.

 

I discovered my passion for working with children when I was 15 years old, I wanted to be a motivational speaker to children. I knew as a teenager, I wanted to help shape young lives. After earning my Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a minor in Child Psychology, I worked with juvenile delinquents as a youth advocate and reintegration worker. That job made me realize something powerful: I wanted to guide kids before they reached the hard roads in life. Inspired by my mentor, Ms. Tonya who was also a daycare owner, I opened Here We Grow in April 2011, caring for 6 children, including my own 2 year-old twins, in my living room in Philadelphia. By November 2015, we had our first full facility in Northeast Philly.

 

When my family and I moved to Florida in April 2020, I substituted as a middle school teacher for a while, but I knew my heart belonged to early childhood education. That’s when Winter Haven welcomed its first Here We Grow Early Learning Academy in November 2023, followed by our second location in April 2025.

 

Of course, I haven’t done it alone. My husband, Demetrius Deveaux (Academy Chef and Teacher On-Boarding Coach), has been my rock through it all. Our children, 12-year-old twins Demi and DJ, and our 5-year-old, Dejá have literally grown up with Here We Grow, from Philly winters to Florida summers. And yes, even our dog Grizzly has been part of the ride (though mostly for moral support and lap cuddles).

 

At Here We Grow, family isn’t just who runs the Academy, it’s the heart of everything we do. What started as a dream in my living room has turned into a thriving, community-centered academy built on love, learning, and a whole lot of laughter. And trust me, we’re just getting started. From Philly to Florida, one thing has always been true: children may change their coats for swimsuits, but they’ll always need a place where laughter and learning go hand in hand.