EVOLVE
I will start by saying, I LOVE my “job” as a mental health therapist! It’s really not a job to me – it’s a life purpose. Counseling is actually a huge part of my identity. I wasn’t always able to profess my love for the work I did. Before I switched careers, I was a middle school teacher. I was an unfulfilled person – just not excited about my career. Looking back to those years, I now see that I lacked life experiences. I was raised in a small town and taught in the same small town. That lack of life experiences played a part in me not understanding that every student was coming to me with the best of who they were. Some had great family lives, while some had complete dysfunction. I expected students to come into the classroom and fall in line with what my expectations were. As a young teacher, I was naïve enough to think I could plan a perfect day. If I had good plans and a consistent and strict discipline system, I would have an enjoyable classroom….most days were a disappointment. I had kids with various needs. I had kids with trauma. I had kids who hated school. I had a few kids who loved school, and that is what kept me going. This was a time in my career, where I was viewing the school day from my point of reference, and not seeing it from the students’ perspective.
I don’t regret any part of the journey. It has helped me personally evolve – I’d like to believe for the better. Without the life experiences, I might not have the compassion and empathy for others that I do now.
As years passed, I realized I wanted to help our students in a way that I wasn’t able to as their classroom teacher. Some of my students I only saw for a 45-minute period each day. It was spent teaching them Reading and English, yet I yearned to be working on personal development with them. Because I wanted to pursue this, I decided to get my master’s degree in school counseling. I took a few extra classes and added what was needed to counsel in the private sector as well. I now have the privilege to work with people everyday in the context that I believe helps the most. Mental health education and personal growth is foundational for all people to evolve into their highest potential. Access to mental health education and personal growth opportunities needs to improve, and I like to believe I am a part of that movement.
I am doing what I love, but I also often think about the classrooms I left behind. I know that every day, I go to the office to see people – to set goals – to educate – to encourage, there are classrooms full of students and teachers who are struggling. Students who are struggling because of what happens beyond the walls of the school as well as what happens in their social circles within the school. There are teachers struggling with the high expectations of the schools and states. They are struggling with lack of support and resistance from some parents. Teachers are not fully armed to be the answer to every need for every student they have. I continue to pray for our youth, our teachers, our families and our society. I help who I can, and I create resources and opportunities for people whenever possible. I am working toward a Doctorate of Education in Community Care and Counseling with an emphasis in Trauma, so I can continue to help others in even more ways than before. I am so blessed that I have a love of learning and a heart of service. I am excitedly curious to see what the future holds!
A few questions…..
- How has your life journey changed in the last 10 years? What has contributed to the changes?
- Do you wonder if you can have a career that brings you joy? What would your ultimate career be? Maybe it’s not a career, maybe it’s a life purpose or a life of service. What would you pursue if there were no obstacles?
- When is the last time you were “excitedly curious” about what the future held for you? Reflect on that time in your life and call that back into your life now.
Growing word by word,
Jackie
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