My career working with young people began in 1987 after graduating with a degree in elementary education. That same year, I began coursework focusing in special education. During my six years in the classroom setting, I was continuously aware of the more subtle energies within my students and the realization of the tremendous impact of their social and emotional lives upon readiness for learning and ability to acquire and demonstrate academic success. I had an innate sense that I was more suited in the role of nurturing and guiding students in becoming more aware of themselves through physical and emotional avenues as opposed to serving in the traditional academic role of teacher.
In 2010, I discovered a yoga teacher training near my home. The decision to sign up was another innate “knowing”. I did not have a plan for where it would lead, but I knew it was going to be part of my journey. In 2011, I completed a 200 hour hatha yoga teacher training and have added more educational hours since that time. In addition, the summer of 2020 brought closure to a year-long teacher training through Mindful Schools which entailed over 300 hours of study and practice with teachers, counselors and social workers across the globe.
The combination of these trainings in the last decade has granted me space to grow as an individual while navigating substantial personal challenges. My strengths lie in having the capacity for supporting others in establishing a plan for working with challenges in their physical bodies through personal yoga or in learning the ways in which mindfulness can help in coping with aspects of life beyond our control: physical discomfort, difficult relationships, coping with anxiety and simply slowing down to be present in the moment.
I have first hand experience working in a school setting. My current employment is serving as an intervention paraprofessional in a junior high and high school setting. However, I maintain my license to teach elementary and special education in the state of Ohio. Simply stated, I find myself suited to less paperwork and more opportunity for establishing relationships with students. I am eager to begin sharing how to create more balance and ease mentally and physically through Mindful Soma.