It has been a minute, hasn't it?
If you’ve been following along with this space in any way, you’ve probably noticed the quiet. The truth is, life over the past few months has been a whirlwind of big shifts, quiet reflections, heavy processing, and meaningful growth. I wanted to step back into this space, take a deep breath, and give you an honest update on where things stand, where I’ve been, what I’m navigating right now, and where we are heading together next.
After eight incredible years in my previous role, I made the deeply personal decision to step away. Eight years is a long time; it’s long enough to build deep roots, predictable routines, and a rhythm where everything feels like second nature. Leaving that safety net was a massive change, and to be completely transparent, the transition hit me harder than I anticipated. And that is something that I have been processing and probably will for a while.
The biggest initial shock? The age leap.
For nearly a decade, my teaching career was centered around transition, middle and high school students. I was comfortable in the secondary world: the schedule flow, the independence levels, the sarcasm, and the unique, dry sense of humor that middle and high schoolers bring to the classroom every day. Moving into an elementary setting has been a true shock to the system.
Elementary energy is an entirely different ecosystem. The pacing, the social-emotional needs, the developmental milestones, and even the daily humor require a completely different mindset. While it has been an adjusting process, learning to recalibrate my daily rhythm to fit elementary learners and educators has challenged me to grow as an educator in ways I never expected. I am finally feeling like I am finding my rhythm and feeling a little more grounded. But if I am being honest, I still wonder if this is truly long term. Now this could change as the year goes on. And I want to keep my mind, heart and energy open.
Beyond the grade-level shift, there is another transition that has taken a significant emotional toll on me: the shift in culture and language.
For eight years, my professional life was rooted in the Deaf community. American Sign Language (ASL) was my primary language of instruction and connection every single day. Immersing myself in Deaf culture and working alongside Deaf colleagues and students wasn't just a job for me, it was a core part of my identity, passion, and daily life. I truly loved my job. I loved the group of kids I worked with and serving a truly under served group of students.
Now, I find myself in a mainstream school setting, working primarily in spoken English. Of all the changes I’ve navigated recently, this language and cultural shift has been the hardest to process. I deeply love the Deaf community, and I miss using ASL continuously throughout my workday. There is a specific warmth, expressiveness, and richness to signing that spoken English simply cannot replicate.
I know in my heart that I will find my way back to that setting in the future. But right now, I know I am where I need to be. Stepping into a mainstream environment allows me to explore how I can advocate for and serve the Deaf+ population from a different angle. Deaf+ students, which are those students who are Deaf or hard of hearing with additional neurodivergent or developmental needs, often cross between mainstream and specialized spaces. Being here is giving me new perspectives on how to build bridges across both systems to better serve these kids and their families.
On a practical, day-to-day level, moving to a new school and a new district means starting from scratch with administrative systems.
When you stay in one place for eight years, your workflow becomes automatic. You know exactly how you like to track progress, store work samples, organize data binders, and manage IEP requirements. When you jump into a brand-new district, all of those familiar systems vanish, and you have to learn a completely new set of expectations, tools, and processes.
Right now, I am right in the middle of the "messy middle." I have mountains of student work samples, informal assessments, and notes waiting to be organized. The work is getting done, but the structure behind it is still under construction. And honestly I don’t like this feeling, and I know that I need to get this started and organized. But I look at the disorganized mess that is my desk and my brain just freaks.
My primary goal over the next few weeks is simple: get grounded in my own systems and routines again. I know that its 2nd quarter and yes I have routines, but I feel I need to get myself re-established in them and myself and find my confidence as a special educator. As special educators, our data is our compass. Finding that organizational rhythm is what restores peace of mind and allows us to teach with clarity, intentionality, and joy.
Now, let’s talk about this platform, the podcast, and where we are heading from here.
I know this space has been quiet. When life shifts so drastically, creative energy often takes a back seat while you re-establish your baseline. Behind the scenes, there were several logistical and personal factors that required time to resolve.
The good news? Those hurdles are cleared, and I officially have the green light to move forward!
I am actively drafting outlines for upcoming blog posts and podcast episodes. The vision for this platform is starting to become clearer, and I can't wait to share what’s in store:
Episode 1 & Launch Post: The very first podcast episode will be an official introduction. I'll be diving deep into my background, my philosophy as an educator and advocate, and the core vision for this growing community.
Core Pillars & Topics: We will be digging into the fundamental pillars this platform was built on: inclusive education, Deaf+ advocacy, neurodiversity, special education law, and practical classroom sustainability.
Real Conversations: Expect honest, actionable content, whether that’s breakdown guides on IEP strategies, real-talk reflections on teacher burnout and transitions, or practical tools for supporting complex learners.
Resources- Access to special education tools shouldn't be hidden behind paywalls. The goal of this hub is to equip parents, educators, and service providers with practical, ready-to-use materials grounded in real classroom and advocacy experience.
Community- Special education can often feel isolating, whether you're a parent navigating a new label or an educator managing a classroom on your own. Building this community is about creating a collaborative, compassionate space where nobody must figure it out alone.
Transitions are rarely tidy. They are full of awkward learning curves, missing the familiar, and figuring out new routines step-by-step. But they are also where our greatest growth happens.
To everyone who has stuck around during this hiatus, thank you. Your patience and encouragement mean the world to me. I’m excited to step into this next chapter with you, to keep learning out loud, and to build a community where every learner, educator, and advocate feels seen and supported.
Stay tuned, there is so much good stuff coming your way very soon!
