February 9, 2022 - With a new job, new address, and three adolescent sons, Tiffany Hudson has a full plate. Her youngest son, who attends Litzsinger School, has had to quarantine twice since the end of winter break. But she takes it all in stride, glad that she recently made the decision to work as a consultant and get some flexibility in her schedule.
Since 2021, Hudson has represented Subdistrict 6 on the SSD Board of Education. Her constituents include families living in the Clayton, Normandy, Ritenour, and University City school districts. She and her sons live in University City, where she works as a nonprofit communications consultant. She knows the North County area well—she spent her childhood there and graduated from Hazelwood East High School in 1997.
She has worked as a communications and marketing professional either on staff or as a consultant for many nonprofit organizations in St. Louis, including St. Patrick Center, Concordia Seminary, United Church of Christ, and St. Louis County Library. She now works from home for an education agency based in Texas.
Hudson says she likes learning more about people whose ideology is completely different than her own, and she doesn’t mind debate. But, if she had an opportunity to chat with anyone in the world, her choice would be someone whom she admires for the way she carries herself in the world: Cher.
“I’d love to have a conversation about life with her,” she says. “I’d love to hear her thoughts, given her age and perspective. I think she could tell me something real!”
Describe your home life and who’s in your household.
My oldest son is 15 and plays football for Clayton High School. My middle son, who is 13, is in eighth grade at Wydown Middle School and is the opposite of his older brother. Christian is the baby— he’s 12 and on the autism spectrum with multiple diagnoses, including ADHD. We’ve worked with Easterseals a lot. It’s difficult to find the kind of help he needs— he’s big for his age and becoming more challenging as he gets older. For example, he must be sedated to get blood drawn, just to get simple things done.
What life experiences made you want to serve on the SSD Board?
Christian was diagnosed with autism before he was two years old. He got therapies in the early childhood program in Hazelwood and I felt like we were all on the same page. But I was concerned about his transition to elementary school. The blessing from that experience was he eventually got enrolled at Litzsinger, and it was the right placement for him.
Being on the SSD Board was a long-term goal of mine, but a position opened in 2021 and I decided I didn’t want to wait another three years to apply. I think the District is great—it’s the best option for kids in St. Louis, and it’s the reason I live in the county, not the city.
What are you most proud of accomplishing?
Since getting divorced, I’ve basically had to start from scratch financially. The boys and I spent seven months living in an extended stay hotel. I’ve had to put off some of my professional ambitions and establish my career as a consultant. We moved into our house last October, I got a new job contract, and my kids are doing well. My oldest is in a college-bound program, my middle son is in honors classes, and we all work to meet Christian’s needs. I’m proud of maintaining what is important to us, but it’s been really tough.
Who has been the greatest influence on your life?
My faith carries the most influence in my life. I’m motivated by my kids to provide them with a stable, happy, productive life, and I have clear ideas about what I want for them and how to help them grow. But my faith informs my decisions.
What keeps you awake at night?
Worrying about this kid (Christian)! I used to worry about how I was going to manage when he got to puberty. Now I worry about how to keep him healthy for the long term. I’m already thinking about his transition out of high school. He wants to do what his brothers do. They’re very good with him— my oldest son, the football player, still puts Christian on his shoulders and walks around. But they make him hold his own in the house. If it’s something he can do, they don’t give him any help.
Describe your favorite meal or dish.
There’s a Mexican place in Rock Hill— El Indio. They make a chicken enchilada meal that I love! It’s my favorite thing to eat in the world!
What do you like to do for fun or relaxation?
I used to go to a lot of concerts, live shows, music, plays, anything artistic. A range of people – from The Roots or JAY-Z, to spoken word stuff and ballet. I used to work for the St. Louis American Newspaper and got lots of tickets to things, like the Harlem Ballet, hockey games, or the symphony. Now I’m doing stuff with my kids.
If you could go anywhere, where would it be?
I want to live abroad in Italy! Maybe when I retire. I’ve actually thought about taking my kids to live in other parts of the country during their summer breaks.
Name one of your favorite books and tell us why it’s a favorite.
“A Prayer for Owen Meany,” by John Irving. I love his work. It’s about faith— questioning faith and taking a practical viewpoint. Another is “The Farming of Bones,” by Edwidge Danticat, a Haitian author. I love her work— her imagery sticks with me.
What kind of music do you like to hear or play?
I listen to a bit of everything. I almost studied music in college. As a child, I wanted to be a composer. My band teacher used the music I wrote in eighth grade as an example for other kids to follow. I was in all the school bands—marching band, pep band—and I played the clarinet. I taught myself how to play piano.
If you could be a fictional superhero, which one would it be and why?
Batman or Iron Man – someone with a super intellect. I wouldn’t necessarily want to fly.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I’m a very introverted personality. If I were more extroverted, maybe I would have managed some things in my life differently. My circle is very small. Perhaps I’d like to expand my world a bit.
What’s a hidden talent you have that not many people know?
I’m good with numbers. My oldest son and Christian say math is their favorite subject.
I also have abnormally good reflexes. My son caught me dropping something and catching it in midair, and he was so surprised! It’s a weird talent to have but it happens all the time.
What would you like people to know about you?
I know people that question how much skin the Board members have in the game. Speaking for myself, because I have a son who has difficult needs, I’ve been working with SSD as a parent since he was three. I know I don’t represent every parent and situation, but I bring my perspective as a parent to the Board based on my experiences - both good and bad. And the Board has a good range of experience among its members.
