It was not an easy decision leaving the Classroom. I had invested so much time and so much money into my education and to make the decision even harder, I was a mere three months from finishing my thesis and my Masters Degree in Education. Was I completely crazy?
I asked myself this question many times before realizing that nothing is lost. I had spent 10 years as a special educator and many of the years were very happy and extremely fulfilling.
I was happy teaching in that very Northerly town in California that I miss so dearly. The mentality was different there. Teachers were treated fairly and kindly. Administrators trusted the teachers and there was a deep respect and appreciation for teachers who committed to a school for their career.
Unfortunately the teaching atmosphere here in Chicago is not at all similar to the atmosphere that I was used to in California. In four short years I switched schools three times in hopes to find a school where teachers were trusted and treated fairly and kindly, where administrators valued longevity and commitment. I did not find this. In fact I found the very opposite. I could go on and on about this broken system, but I wont. I instead would like to share how incredibly lucky I am.
I turned a passion into a career. I became a professional doula. I continue to do all that I loved as a teacher in my career as a doula. They are actually very similar.
I support families! I provide loving, compassionate and educated support to families. This was my number one job as a special education teacher and this is my number one job as a doula.
I help families with transitions. As a special educator I helped families transition their children to new schools, to community settings, to jobs, into friendships, and into the world.
As a doula I support women as they transition to motherhood. I support men as they transition to become fathers. I support newborns as they transition to breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, sleeping, and napping. I support toddlers and children as they transition to become brothers and sisters.
I am serving my community. As a special educator I felt a strong sense of importance. I was supporting my students and families and therefore supporting my community. I feel that same sense of importance as a doula. I am serving my clients, mothers, fathers, newborns, siblings, families and therefore community.
I am a professional. I was a professional when I was a teacher and I continue to be a professional as a birth and postpartum doula. I answer emails promptly, I provide accurate and well-researched information, I am a life long learner, I am respectful, kind and sensitive, I make appointments and keep appointments, I am committed to and communities. I am a professional.
I am beyond lucky to provide families compassionate, professional, and loving support as they welcome a new life into the world.
