Finding My Footing Again: Teaching, Parenting, and Refocusing My Purpose

Returning to teaching full-time has been both a familiar and entirely new experience for me—especially transitioning into the high school classroom after time spent at the elementary level. While education is education at its core, the pace, expectations, and emotional demands are very different depending on the age group you serve.

High School vs. Elementary: A Different Kind of Energy

At the elementary level, the focus is often on nurturing—building foundational skills, guiding students through routines, and being a steady presence during their earliest academic years. High school, on the other hand, demands a different kind of stamina. The conversations are deeper, the students are more independent yet more complex, and the responsibility to prepare them for life beyond graduation feels heavier.

Stepping into a high school setting has reminded me just how much emotional and mental energy this level requires. Students arrive carrying real-world issues, identity questions, and pressures that don’t pause at the classroom door. It’s rewarding work—but it’s intense.

Still Showing Up as a Parent and PTA Member

Alongside teaching full-time, I continue to stay actively involved in my children’s middle school PTA. Being present in that space matters to me—not only as a parent, but as an educator who understands the importance of school-community partnerships.

Balancing these roles hasn’t been easy. There are days when my calendar feels like it’s pulling me in too many directions at once. But supporting my children and staying connected to their school environment remains a priority, even during seasons when my plate feels especially full.

Press Pause, Not Stop: My Second Book

One of the harder decisions I made this year was temporarily putting my second book on hold. It wasn’t a lack of passion or commitment—it was simply an honest assessment of capacity. Teaching full-time again required my full attention, and I allowed myself the grace to pause without guilt.

That pause, however, is coming to an end.

With winter break here, I am determined to complete my second book during this time. I see the break not as rest alone, but as an opportunity—dedicated, focused time to finish what I started and honor the story that still needs to be told.

Looking Ahead: From Words to Wearables

Completing this book is a critical step forward. Once it’s finished, I can fully shift my attention toward building out my apparel line—another creative and purposeful extension of my brand. Every phase of this journey is connected: education, authorship, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

This season has taught me that progress doesn’t always look fast or linear. Sometimes it looks like recalibrating, reprioritizing, and recommitting with clarity.

I’m not behind. I’m building—intentionally.