If you were to meet me today, it may come as a shock to you that I was a completely different person from who I was. I was irrational, stubborn, and impulsive. I didn’t know how to control my emotions and I didn’t know how to think objectively and critically about myself, others and the world we live in. I thought everyone was out to get me and I had the biggest case of victim mentality. Without a doubt, this was the darkest time of my life.

When faced with deep personal and family struggles, I quickly realized that I was unequipped to handle any mental or emotional curveballs that were thrown my way. Interestingly enough, I thought the best way to deal with this was to drop of out college and move from New York to Michigan with nothing but a full tank a gas, a packed up car, and $100 in my pocket (I wish I was kidding). When I was struggling to make ends meet as a waitress and bartender, I realized that something needed to change. I needed to change – luckily, on the other side of dark is light.

I started to journal, meditate and pay attention to my emotions. I was able to learn about myself by analyzing the way I was feeling and understanding why I was feeling that way. I made some key mindset and habit changes, too. I researched the most balanced, successful and happy people, and took notes on what exactly made them that way. I spent every free second I had watching videos, listening to audiobooks and podcasts, reading up on the latest journals for health and wellness, and meditating and going within. All of this was so I could learn more about myself and how to finally feel good. At that point, I knew precisely what I wanted and I was ready to put the work in to get it.

Along my journey, I earned a college degree and two master’s degrees. I became a middle school teacher because I wanted to help others. But, I quickly became dissatisfied (okay, enraged) by the educational system – it does not provide tools necessary to teach the whole child! And that was what I wanted to do, to find a way to teacher the whole child!

Today, I live a more happy, healthy, balanced and peaceful life. I am able to think objectively and critically about situations and make decisions that benefit me and my surroundings. I have a completely different perspective on life and why we are here (which is to learn, grow, heal, and experience all that life has to offer). I understand that the way we respond to others is a direct reflection of who and where we are. And it’s not that others are “better” or “worse,” we’re all just different from one another – and, that’s okay. We’re all on our own path and we all must accept and honor each others differences.

As I teach my amazing students now, I am so blessed and honored to be able to work with such magical, curious and genuine human beings. It’s truly remarkable to watch them grow. It’s really no surprise that as I teach to the whole child, that they not only improve academically, but emotionally, mentally and physically, too. I am eager to hear how, with the tools provided here, your magical children thrive and grow, too.