What fears have you overcome and how?

Now that I’ve finished fan-girling, I just have to tell you about something really special that happened recently.

But first, a little backstory…

In 2020, I graduated from Michigan State University with my Master’s in Child Development. During grad school, I was fortunate to land a dream job with the university as an Academic Specialist. It was a dual-role position: lead preschool teacher in the Child Development Lab and mentor/advisor to emerging educators completing their student teaching experiences.

It was everything I thought I wanted… and also everything I wasn’t ready for.

The pressure, the responsibility, the weight of showing up for others while still figuring things out for myself… it all hit me hard. I felt overwhelmed, anxious, and eventually, pretty lost. And then, to top it all off, COVID happened.

Needless to say, that dream job ended much more quickly than I’d hoped. Yes, I did meaningful things, I kept my students and their families safe during a scary and uncertain time, and I’m truly proud of that. But deep down, I didn’t feel like I had fully stepped into my potential. I didn’t feel like I had contributed to the beauty and wonder unfolding in the classrooms around me.

Fast forward to today…

I’ve done a lot of growing. A lot of transforming. And while that part of my past still held some emotional weight for me; I now see that experience as part of the path that shaped who I am.

A few months ago, a colleague of mine was on a Zoom call with Erica; one of my former coworkers from MSU. I felt a little nervous, but I decided to pop in and say hello. I’m so glad I did.

Erica had just received two major honors: the PBS Exceptional Educator Award and the Distinguished Academic Staff Award from MSU. I congratulated her, and to my surprise, she congratulated me right back on publishing Walking Wednesday. We started talking, and before I knew it, we were planning a potential collaboration.

After some back-and-forth (life, right?), it finally happened… I was invited to visit Erica’s classroom to read Walking Wednesday and lead an activity with her students… not as a student or a teacher or a supervisor or coach… but as this transformed me; the author of Walking Wednesday.

The day was everything I hoped for and more. Erica welcomed me with such care and professionalism; materials prepped, classroom ready. Sitting there, reading my book, guiding the lesson, collaborating with someone I deeply admire… I have never felt prouder. It was a full-circle moment. Proof that I’ve not only healed from that earlier chapter, but transformed into a stronger version of myself who is capable of facing my fears.

So Erica, if you’re reading this, thank you. Truly. For everything you’ve done and continue to do, day in and day out.

And there’s more exciting news! I’ll soon be releasing activities to pair with Walking Wednesday! Thanks to the support and insights of Erica and other inspiring educators, I’ve revised and transformed these resources into fun, easy to use, and enriching experiences for classrooms and families alike.

I’m also exploring ways to share Walking Wednesday more widely. Erica mentioned “Hoopla” as a potential platform. Have any of you used it? Any advice or experience with it? I’d love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned; because things are heating up for this Transforming Teacher!

Dream On.