Tishawn K. Thames received her bachelor's degree in child and family studies with an emphasis in child life from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1996.  Upon graduation, she taught preschool for a year.

She earned a master's degree in early childhood education from Jackson State University in 1998.  After graduation, Thames has worked for the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children in Jackson, the states only children's hospital, as a Child Life Specialist.  She serves children and their families in a healthcare setting to promote optimum development of children, adolescents and families, to maintain normal living patterns and to minimize psychological trauma. 

She was co-founder of H.U.G.S. (Healing and Understanding Through Grief Support), a grief support for families whose children have died.  She has served as a liaison for Starbright an online community for hospitalized children.  Thames, has presented numerous presentations on child development and child life.