I am a former high school teacher from Monterey County, and while I loved teaching and connecting with my students, I couldn’t help but notice that something essential was missing from the education equation. My teacher training, and that of many of my colleagues, had been insufficient in preparing us in how to build and maintain healthy relationships with not only our students and their caregivers, but also our colleagues and administrators. In tandem with this, was the glaring reality that many of our teaching practices, district mandates, and overall structures were stuck in an outdated, industrialized system, and were not adequately addressing the current needs of our students or teachers. These missing pieces is what was contributing to my disillusionment and burnout. 

I didn’t want to leave education altogether, but I was compelled to reposition myself in the education sphere, electing to build my own coaching and consulting practice that centered around the components that I knew were backed by social neuroscience and pedagogical research to promote a thriving teaching and learning environment; one in which all stakeholders can manage conflict, build trust and cohesion, and reflect on their work in a way that brings them meaning and a sense of purpose. This  practice has restored my own sense of purpose, and I look forward to sharing that with you.