You know me as a teacher, an author, and a speaker who has worked with K-12 schools for the past 30+ years. You may know I’m a mom of two adult children, both gifted, one with significant learning disabilities. My heart and soul has been devoted to helping students and educators succeed in the world of school my entire adult life.
What you don’t know is that over the past five years I’ve been dabbling in a different world. Then, the pandemic gave me the time to dive into something new, exciting, and stimulating.
At first, I felt guilty – teachers are my peeps. I love helping kids. Then, I realized that I didn’t have to give up what I’ve been doing. I could lead a double life. I could do both.
Three years ago, I hired a business coach, Mark Levy, to help me make this transition. I was full of doubt. It was Mark who helped me to realize that my work with teachers, teaching, and youth, gave me an edge in this new niche. I was uniquely qualified for the work because of my past.
So, here goes…
I am working with corporations, associations, and adults. I’m walking on the other side of the tracks – the “real world.” One teacher who figured this out called me a traitor for going to the dark side of corporate corruption.
So, why have I become a business speaker and coach?
Because the students I’ve been helping for the past 30+ years work there (or want to work there and are playing video games in their parents’ basement because they can’t get past the interview to get hired.)
Some of you have heard me talk about my silver linings – Jay, Shannon, and Chris. Chris is now a successful businessman. We reconnected over Zoom recently and he shared his excitement over a new job. The new position reduced his travel and allowed him more time at home. When I explained what I was doing with the business sector he said, “I just went through the onboarding process at my new company. It was pure torture.”
We are graduating students from high school and they are entering a world where companies are using artificial intelligence (AI ) to review and weed out resumes. These same companies have interview processes that only allow round pegs that fit in their round holes to get in the door. When divergent thinkers do get hired, they have to hide their divergent thinking and learning styles. This is to the detriment of themselves and their companies. Why? Because, often, management doesn’t understand how to manage, or lead, a diverse workforce.
Everyone loses.
After spending years talking to executives on flights to my school speaking and coaching gigs, I realized that I needed to do more. I needed to expand what I do to the corporate world.
So, I now live a double life. One as an education speaker and consultant and the other as a corporate speaker and consultant.
The common thread is – I’m still living my life’s purpose on this earth. I’m here to use my enthusiasm and creative problem solving skills to help people to use their talents to reach their potential. Divergent cognition (often labeled as a learning disability) is a superpower.
Neurodiversity in the workplace is a particular interest of mine. Brilliant minds should have the opportunity to do more than play video games in their parents’ basement.
Do you know an adult who could use my help? Maybe your son, daughter, spouse, partner, neighbor, relative? I can do that now. I can help them. I’ve started this work by publishing my articles on Medium.com as well as my blog.
Here’s a link to my most recent article, A Dozen Surefire Ways to Boost Your Memory
This is my business YouTube channel, The Learning Strategist IQ
I’m still here for educators and their students. It’s just time for me to do more to help everyone succeed in life.
CLICK HERE to discover a wealth of teaching strategies and resources for maximizing student success!.