1 00:00:00,277 --> 00:00:03,531 Smart, today, we welcome Alyssa up to the 2 00:00:03,531 --> 00:00:06,229 podcast. Alyssa is a learning specialist at mia 3 00:00:06,229 --> 00:00:08,134 therapist, and she is joining us today to 4 00:00:08,134 --> 00:00:10,858 talk about her journey leaving the classroom environment. 5 00:00:11,017 --> 00:00:13,591 She shares why she struggled leaving the classroom 6 00:00:13,650 --> 00:00:16,122 and what she has learned since leaving the 7 00:00:16,122 --> 00:00:18,515 classroom and joining my therapist. 8 00:00:18,848 --> 00:00:20,991 She also shares what she would tell others 9 00:00:20,991 --> 00:00:24,325 who are thinking about making this transition. If 10 00:00:24,325 --> 00:00:27,262 you are interested in making this transition yourself 11 00:00:27,262 --> 00:00:30,148 both cap educational therapy group and my ed 12 00:00:30,148 --> 00:00:32,702 therapist are hiring. Feel free to reach out 13 00:00:32,702 --> 00:00:35,735 to us at rachel Staff at Learn podcast 14 00:00:35,735 --> 00:00:37,520 dot com to get more 15 00:00:37,892 --> 00:00:40,587 information about how to apply. Let's dig in. 16 00:00:41,063 --> 00:00:42,911 You want to learn faster 17 00:00:43,362 --> 00:00:45,633 what's sometimes working harder 18 00:00:46,492 --> 00:00:49,129 is just that the answer you have to 19 00:00:49,129 --> 00:00:49,629 learn 20 00:00:50,488 --> 00:00:50,967 smarter, 21 00:00:51,367 --> 00:00:52,885 the educational therapy podcast. 22 00:00:55,857 --> 00:00:58,334 Hi, Smart. Welcome to episode 320 of Learn 23 00:00:58,494 --> 00:01:01,291 Smarter. The educational therapy podcast. I'm Stephanie Pitt. 24 00:01:01,531 --> 00:01:03,858 And I reach rachel kat And today, I 25 00:01:03,858 --> 00:01:07,440 am thrilled to introduce the audience to Alyssa 26 00:01:07,519 --> 00:01:10,305 Op who is a learning specialist at my 27 00:01:10,305 --> 00:01:13,433 practice my ed therapist, and I'm excited to 28 00:01:13,433 --> 00:01:16,066 have this conversation. So welcome, Melissa. Thank you 29 00:01:16,066 --> 00:01:18,461 so much. I'm excited to be here. Yeah. 30 00:01:19,194 --> 00:01:22,070 So why don't you start off by telling 31 00:01:22,070 --> 00:01:23,748 us a little bit about who you are 32 00:01:23,748 --> 00:01:25,665 and what you do and who you do 33 00:01:25,665 --> 00:01:29,116 for? Sure. So long long ago in the 34 00:01:29,196 --> 00:01:29,755 Olden days. 35 00:01:31,193 --> 00:01:33,910 I started teaching for a teeny tiny school 36 00:01:33,910 --> 00:01:37,062 district here in the south Bay and just 37 00:01:37,121 --> 00:01:38,239 fell in love with the job. 38 00:01:39,198 --> 00:01:40,796 My mom was a teacher in the same 39 00:01:40,796 --> 00:01:43,365 district and I kind of just grew up 40 00:01:43,365 --> 00:01:45,780 with teaching and early literacy 41 00:01:46,158 --> 00:01:47,993 just in my blood and all around me. 42 00:01:48,152 --> 00:01:50,079 I would go with her every summer to 43 00:01:50,079 --> 00:01:51,749 help her set up her classroom and I 44 00:01:51,749 --> 00:01:54,135 couldn't wait to have a classroom of my 45 00:01:54,135 --> 00:01:56,520 own. So I started teaching in the late 46 00:01:56,520 --> 00:01:56,998 nineties, 47 00:01:57,808 --> 00:01:59,956 Kindergarten first grade third grade, 48 00:02:00,513 --> 00:02:01,013 and 49 00:02:01,388 --> 00:02:04,751 did that for about 25 years, which literally 50 00:02:05,047 --> 00:02:07,288 flew by? I know it's cliche to say, 51 00:02:07,446 --> 00:02:09,670 but it's wild when you look back and 52 00:02:09,670 --> 00:02:11,893 you're like, oh my gosh, it really has 53 00:02:11,893 --> 00:02:12,608 been that long. 54 00:02:13,164 --> 00:02:14,037 I loved it. 55 00:02:14,768 --> 00:02:17,559 But about a year ago, I needed a 56 00:02:17,559 --> 00:02:19,791 change. I was ready for a change, just 57 00:02:19,791 --> 00:02:22,900 due to some health reasons. I needed some 58 00:02:22,900 --> 00:02:24,905 more flexibility in my schedule. 59 00:02:25,383 --> 00:02:27,133 I need to spend more time with my 60 00:02:27,133 --> 00:02:29,123 family. You know, we all go through different 61 00:02:29,123 --> 00:02:31,369 seasons of life and flexibility I was just 62 00:02:31,369 --> 00:02:33,147 at the point where 63 00:02:33,606 --> 00:02:34,585 a traditional 64 00:02:35,283 --> 00:02:37,441 kind of not 9 to 5, but as 65 00:02:37,441 --> 00:02:39,845 we all know, teachers work of many more 66 00:02:39,845 --> 00:02:43,265 hours than that. Yeah. Here's traditional teaching schedule. 67 00:02:43,583 --> 00:02:45,810 It just wasn't quite possible for me anymore. 68 00:02:46,049 --> 00:02:46,819 And I was 69 00:02:47,178 --> 00:02:49,811 broken hearted about it. I still wanted to 70 00:02:49,811 --> 00:02:52,443 teach. It's the only job I've ever wanted 71 00:02:52,443 --> 00:02:54,516 to do, and I feel like it's not 72 00:02:54,516 --> 00:02:56,191 just a job. It's just who I am. 73 00:02:56,351 --> 00:02:58,830 Right? It's part of my identity, and I 74 00:02:58,830 --> 00:03:01,293 just was at a loss. I knew I 75 00:03:01,293 --> 00:03:02,723 needed to leave the classroom, 76 00:03:03,438 --> 00:03:06,018 but still wanted to make an impact and 77 00:03:06,154 --> 00:03:08,878 1 of my former students was 78 00:03:09,252 --> 00:03:12,850 a client at my therapist and her mom 79 00:03:13,144 --> 00:03:13,644 suggested 80 00:03:13,954 --> 00:03:15,858 Oh my gosh. Alyssa, this would be perfect 81 00:03:15,858 --> 00:03:16,255 for you. 82 00:03:17,128 --> 00:03:19,032 You should check it out. And that's kind 83 00:03:19,032 --> 00:03:21,731 of how I wound up meeting Stephanie and 84 00:03:21,731 --> 00:03:24,373 everything else kind of fell into place. It 85 00:03:24,373 --> 00:03:27,562 was such a happy accident. Mh. But it's 86 00:03:27,562 --> 00:03:29,953 really where I think I was meant to 87 00:03:29,953 --> 00:03:32,619 end up, and I have enjoyed my time 88 00:03:32,755 --> 00:03:35,301 at my ad therapist so so much. I've 89 00:03:35,301 --> 00:03:36,835 learned so much, which, 90 00:03:37,449 --> 00:03:39,518 you know, when you've been doing a job 91 00:03:39,518 --> 00:03:41,127 for a long time. You think you know 92 00:03:41,127 --> 00:03:43,940 your stuff, but it's pretty cool to pivot 93 00:03:44,476 --> 00:03:47,348 into a similar field and then be able 94 00:03:47,348 --> 00:03:50,395 to learn so many new skills that you 95 00:03:50,395 --> 00:03:51,754 can apply in a little bit of a 96 00:03:51,754 --> 00:03:53,915 different learning setting. So it's kind of how 97 00:03:54,075 --> 00:03:55,275 I ended up where I am now. 98 00:03:55,915 --> 00:03:57,754 So I love that. It's been almost a 99 00:03:57,754 --> 00:03:57,995 year. 100 00:03:58,648 --> 00:04:00,870 Since you've been on the team. Isn't that 101 00:04:00,870 --> 00:04:01,347 crazy? 102 00:04:01,744 --> 00:04:04,363 Yeah. It's flown by. You are 1 of 103 00:04:04,363 --> 00:04:06,824 the reading guru on the team. 104 00:04:07,474 --> 00:04:09,233 And you and I have had many conversations 105 00:04:09,233 --> 00:04:11,230 about how much it's in your blood and 106 00:04:11,230 --> 00:04:13,149 how much you love it. It's not in 107 00:04:13,149 --> 00:04:15,386 mind. To do breeding? Yeah. Yeah. Both of 108 00:04:15,386 --> 00:04:16,825 us feel that way, but go 1. 109 00:04:17,479 --> 00:04:18,915 No part of me wants to do it. 110 00:04:19,155 --> 00:04:20,432 I did it, but I don't wanna do 111 00:04:20,432 --> 00:04:20,592 it. 112 00:04:22,029 --> 00:04:24,205 It's not where my heart is. And so 113 00:04:24,344 --> 00:04:26,180 we all have our specialties. Right? 114 00:04:26,752 --> 00:04:27,252 Exactly. 115 00:04:27,785 --> 00:04:29,397 The biggest thing is 116 00:04:29,930 --> 00:04:30,906 you were 117 00:04:31,439 --> 00:04:35,131 well known in your district. And well known 118 00:04:35,345 --> 00:04:37,193 in a couple of circles 119 00:04:37,884 --> 00:04:40,740 being the go to Kindergarten teacher. You've won 120 00:04:40,740 --> 00:04:41,557 some awards 121 00:04:42,183 --> 00:04:44,490 fit demand kindergarten teacher. 122 00:04:45,523 --> 00:04:48,329 Once some awards, you've done some stuff. So 123 00:04:48,545 --> 00:04:50,056 I want us just to say, okay. 124 00:04:50,709 --> 00:04:53,665 You had to leave the classroom for some 125 00:04:53,665 --> 00:04:55,363 reasons that were very 126 00:04:55,902 --> 00:04:57,200 external on why 127 00:04:57,831 --> 00:04:59,658 you know, health family, 128 00:05:00,134 --> 00:05:02,199 things like that. Yep. You and I I've 129 00:05:02,199 --> 00:05:03,707 talked about this. It wasn't something that you 130 00:05:03,707 --> 00:05:05,613 ever imagined you would do. It was just 131 00:05:05,613 --> 00:05:07,536 sort of Oh, no. Course. Upon you in 132 00:05:07,536 --> 00:05:09,527 a way that you weren't expecting, which is 133 00:05:09,527 --> 00:05:12,553 what happens. Right? Life throws things that you 134 00:05:12,553 --> 00:05:15,362 sometimes, and I'm trying to learn that 135 00:05:15,673 --> 00:05:17,814 It's okay to not be in charge, but 136 00:05:17,814 --> 00:05:18,607 boy, that's hard. 137 00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:19,796 Fair enough. 138 00:05:20,510 --> 00:05:22,730 So I wanted to talk about when I 139 00:05:22,730 --> 00:05:24,414 originally said like, I would love to have 140 00:05:24,414 --> 00:05:26,561 you come on. I wanted to really talk 141 00:05:26,561 --> 00:05:27,061 about 142 00:05:28,072 --> 00:05:28,572 this 143 00:05:29,503 --> 00:05:31,275 transition of working 144 00:05:32,064 --> 00:05:35,654 with clients in an educational therapy setting of 145 00:05:35,654 --> 00:05:37,330 the 1 on 1, the difference. 146 00:05:37,809 --> 00:05:39,346 And you know there's a lot of 147 00:05:39,818 --> 00:05:42,610 teachers out there that are wondering, Okay. How 148 00:05:42,610 --> 00:05:45,641 is it different? And also, it's very scary. 149 00:05:46,040 --> 00:05:47,794 Well, and what I love about this is 150 00:05:47,794 --> 00:05:49,722 we've had other people in the past who 151 00:05:49,722 --> 00:05:52,605 are looking to make a transition out 152 00:05:53,296 --> 00:05:56,551 because they had, like, maxed out on being 153 00:05:56,551 --> 00:05:58,879 in the classroom. Frankly, like, they were burnt 154 00:05:58,879 --> 00:06:00,560 out on it. That wasn't the case here. 155 00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:02,879 This was still a passion for you. This 156 00:06:02,879 --> 00:06:05,851 was something that you loved. Right. So I'm 157 00:06:05,851 --> 00:06:07,439 excited to hear sort of your thoughts on 158 00:06:07,439 --> 00:06:11,091 all of this. Well, yeah, definitely. So when 159 00:06:11,171 --> 00:06:14,109 I started at my art therapist, I was 160 00:06:14,109 --> 00:06:14,506 nervous. 161 00:06:14,998 --> 00:06:18,021 Right? Anytime you're starting something new. No matter 162 00:06:18,021 --> 00:06:20,407 how much experience you have. A new environment. 163 00:06:20,566 --> 00:06:21,362 It's a new setting. 164 00:06:22,013 --> 00:06:22,911 I just wasn't 165 00:06:23,526 --> 00:06:24,663 exactly sure 166 00:06:25,118 --> 00:06:27,051 what to expect, but honestly, 167 00:06:27,506 --> 00:06:29,758 it just feels like you're doing 168 00:06:30,148 --> 00:06:32,296 your job with 1 student at a time. 169 00:06:32,535 --> 00:06:32,932 Mh. 170 00:06:33,410 --> 00:06:34,626 Instead of 26 171 00:06:34,682 --> 00:06:36,614 and putting out a hundred fire 172 00:06:37,164 --> 00:06:39,158 in the middle of a lesson. I know 173 00:06:39,238 --> 00:06:40,854 I told stuff on so many 174 00:06:41,311 --> 00:06:41,551 occasions. 175 00:06:42,747 --> 00:06:44,284 I am fl 176 00:06:45,220 --> 00:06:46,677 at how much 177 00:06:47,228 --> 00:06:49,720 I get done in 01:50 minute 178 00:06:50,255 --> 00:06:51,153 session. I'm 179 00:06:51,529 --> 00:06:53,941 shocked. I still am shocked every 180 00:06:54,477 --> 00:06:54,977 single 181 00:06:55,671 --> 00:06:58,806 session. And I think that is just because 182 00:06:59,099 --> 00:07:00,606 right when you've been in the classroom, 183 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:02,986 especially in the elementary grades, 184 00:07:03,879 --> 00:07:07,575 for a long time, you're used to never 185 00:07:07,635 --> 00:07:08,135 saying 186 00:07:08,753 --> 00:07:11,331 something 1 time. You are used to being 187 00:07:11,390 --> 00:07:11,890 interrupted 188 00:07:12,444 --> 00:07:12,944 constantly, 189 00:07:13,401 --> 00:07:15,475 that's just the nature of the beast. Right? 190 00:07:15,714 --> 00:07:19,782 Mh. Someone always has an injury, like, A911 191 00:07:19,782 --> 00:07:22,849 injury. Right. Someone's running away, like, bathroom 192 00:07:23,226 --> 00:07:26,337 accidents. Oh, I will not even start on 193 00:07:26,337 --> 00:07:28,830 the bat this bathroom stories in Kindergarten 194 00:07:29,367 --> 00:07:30,883 would going to the nurse. 195 00:07:32,572 --> 00:07:34,564 And then you wonder, like, are they gonna 196 00:07:34,564 --> 00:07:37,454 come back? Right. Right. Right. You can't send 197 00:07:37,591 --> 00:07:39,822 anyone alone anywhere. They all have to travel 198 00:07:39,822 --> 00:07:40,300 and pack. 199 00:07:40,938 --> 00:07:43,580 Great and I know that sounds so dramatic 200 00:07:43,580 --> 00:07:45,331 and, like, over the top, but all of 201 00:07:45,331 --> 00:07:47,502 that to say, you're just 202 00:07:48,116 --> 00:07:50,423 never in a place where you can get 203 00:07:50,423 --> 00:07:53,074 through a less sin uninterrupted. And that's okay. 204 00:07:53,394 --> 00:07:55,574 Right? That's okay. There are wonderful 205 00:07:56,675 --> 00:07:59,095 social and community benefits of the classroom 206 00:07:59,806 --> 00:08:02,429 atmosphere an environment that are such an important 207 00:08:02,429 --> 00:08:03,859 part of the process for kids. 208 00:08:04,654 --> 00:08:05,131 But, 209 00:08:05,687 --> 00:08:07,936 you know, sometimes I would get frustrated, 210 00:08:08,724 --> 00:08:10,822 I couldn't get to 211 00:08:11,601 --> 00:08:13,279 all that I wanted to get to, 212 00:08:14,078 --> 00:08:14,578 especially 213 00:08:15,036 --> 00:08:16,315 when pulling small groups. 214 00:08:17,523 --> 00:08:18,023 So 215 00:08:18,395 --> 00:08:20,220 I loved point small groups, 216 00:08:20,855 --> 00:08:23,474 especially for reading instruction and writing instruction, 217 00:08:24,204 --> 00:08:27,314 Pho instruction when I could for math as 218 00:08:27,314 --> 00:08:29,250 well because you can really 219 00:08:29,707 --> 00:08:30,207 differentiate 220 00:08:30,584 --> 00:08:33,750 your instruction, you can remediate. You can enrich 221 00:08:33,948 --> 00:08:35,164 you can group kids 222 00:08:35,539 --> 00:08:38,244 in a flexible way that allows you to 223 00:08:38,244 --> 00:08:40,232 really meet their needs in that moment. 224 00:08:41,439 --> 00:08:41,939 But 225 00:08:42,788 --> 00:08:44,241 you still have the rest of the 226 00:08:44,614 --> 00:08:46,836 frame rate. I so that's where it would 227 00:08:46,836 --> 00:08:49,393 get a little bit tricky and it's totally 228 00:08:49,393 --> 00:08:52,095 fine. Kids need you. That's why you're there, 229 00:08:52,731 --> 00:08:56,625 but I always felt torn between that small 230 00:08:56,625 --> 00:08:56,864 group. 231 00:08:57,913 --> 00:09:00,386 And that awesome lesson or activity I had 232 00:09:00,386 --> 00:09:00,705 planned, 233 00:09:01,263 --> 00:09:03,997 and then being able to monitor the other 234 00:09:04,135 --> 00:09:06,049 20 21 22. 235 00:09:06,368 --> 00:09:08,609 Your heads on a swivel. You can't do 236 00:09:08,609 --> 00:09:10,670 it all well. Yeah. Yeah. You try your 237 00:09:10,670 --> 00:09:13,920 best, and they learn, and everyone has a 238 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:14,974 great year, but 239 00:09:15,363 --> 00:09:17,617 I would tend to get frustrated 240 00:09:17,994 --> 00:09:20,327 that I didn't feel like I was as 241 00:09:21,102 --> 00:09:23,197 productive as I wanted to be 242 00:09:23,509 --> 00:09:26,322 that I've reached as many students in meaningful 243 00:09:26,460 --> 00:09:28,614 ways as often as I wanted to. 244 00:09:29,252 --> 00:09:30,709 And I'm always 245 00:09:31,246 --> 00:09:33,914 impressed with how much I can accomplish 246 00:09:34,770 --> 00:09:36,924 1 on 1 with a student during that 247 00:09:36,924 --> 00:09:39,795 50 minute session time. What I'm hearing you 248 00:09:39,795 --> 00:09:42,688 say, Alyssa is that you're able to 249 00:09:43,559 --> 00:09:46,216 meet your goals with each learner 250 00:09:46,675 --> 00:09:47,474 more efficiently. 251 00:09:48,193 --> 00:09:48,693 Absolutely. 252 00:09:49,072 --> 00:09:53,179 Yeah. Both. You just are able to provide 253 00:09:53,476 --> 00:09:55,012 each client with 254 00:09:55,548 --> 00:09:57,802 your 100 percent un 255 00:09:58,577 --> 00:09:59,350 attention. It's 256 00:09:59,786 --> 00:10:03,515 magic. That's where the magic happens. You see 257 00:10:03,515 --> 00:10:04,015 those 258 00:10:04,546 --> 00:10:07,164 moments where it all comes together for them 259 00:10:07,164 --> 00:10:07,664 and 260 00:10:08,053 --> 00:10:09,824 there aren't the distractions 261 00:10:10,993 --> 00:10:14,331 that, you know, a classroom setting is naturally 262 00:10:14,331 --> 00:10:16,579 gonna have, which is fine, but 263 00:10:17,287 --> 00:10:19,991 that's been... I think the thing that surprised 264 00:10:19,991 --> 00:10:21,048 me the most 265 00:10:22,059 --> 00:10:23,514 transitioning over from 266 00:10:24,223 --> 00:10:25,201 teaching in a typical 267 00:10:25,656 --> 00:10:26,634 jen ad classroom 268 00:10:27,329 --> 00:10:27,829 to 269 00:10:28,365 --> 00:10:30,595 these sessions with students 1 on web. You 270 00:10:30,595 --> 00:10:32,028 know, 1 of the things that we've talked 271 00:10:32,028 --> 00:10:34,296 about in the past the whole thing about 272 00:10:35,389 --> 00:10:37,221 you feeling like you weren't gonna be able 273 00:10:37,221 --> 00:10:38,098 to make an impact, 274 00:10:38,974 --> 00:10:42,262 and that's what you truly wanted. And now 275 00:10:42,575 --> 00:10:43,554 that impact 276 00:10:44,174 --> 00:10:45,294 looks a little different, 277 00:10:45,934 --> 00:10:48,815 but it's definitely an impact. I mean, because 278 00:10:48,815 --> 00:10:50,335 you and I have talked about some of 279 00:10:50,335 --> 00:10:51,235 your clients 280 00:10:51,709 --> 00:10:52,209 and 281 00:10:52,587 --> 00:10:54,204 where they have grown 282 00:10:55,060 --> 00:10:55,560 and 283 00:10:56,098 --> 00:10:58,093 parents that are calling and, you know, struggling 284 00:10:58,093 --> 00:10:58,912 with readers 285 00:10:59,544 --> 00:11:00,683 they're really behind 286 00:11:01,062 --> 00:11:03,699 oftentimes, like a couple of grades behind where 287 00:11:03,699 --> 00:11:06,416 they should be. And you've shared with me 288 00:11:06,416 --> 00:11:08,910 some of the winds of some of these 289 00:11:08,910 --> 00:11:10,290 kids that have 290 00:11:10,750 --> 00:11:12,210 almost caught up to grade level, 291 00:11:12,990 --> 00:11:15,470 you know, within the year. Yeah. I've just 292 00:11:15,470 --> 00:11:16,529 been so 293 00:11:16,844 --> 00:11:19,556 pleasantly surprised. I just didn't really know what 294 00:11:19,556 --> 00:11:20,274 to expect. 295 00:11:21,151 --> 00:11:23,544 Like I said, which is what happens. Right? 296 00:11:23,703 --> 00:11:25,458 When you try something new, and that can 297 00:11:25,458 --> 00:11:26,829 make you feel a little bit nervous. It 298 00:11:26,829 --> 00:11:29,219 can be a little bit overwhelming, but it 299 00:11:29,219 --> 00:11:30,733 was a leap of faith, but it was 300 00:11:30,733 --> 00:11:33,602 a leave I'm so glad I took. I've 301 00:11:33,602 --> 00:11:36,489 seen me students working so hard, 302 00:11:37,207 --> 00:11:37,707 gaining 303 00:11:38,165 --> 00:11:38,984 not only 304 00:11:39,361 --> 00:11:40,659 academic skills, but 305 00:11:41,356 --> 00:11:41,856 confident 306 00:11:42,410 --> 00:11:45,309 mh. Learning how to manage 307 00:11:46,009 --> 00:11:47,789 their own learning environments 308 00:11:48,090 --> 00:11:48,590 and 309 00:11:49,865 --> 00:11:50,365 using 310 00:11:50,985 --> 00:11:53,165 coping strategies and techniques 311 00:11:53,785 --> 00:11:56,825 that worked best for how their brains learn. 312 00:11:57,320 --> 00:11:58,919 And that 1 on 1, 313 00:12:00,360 --> 00:12:00,860 instruction 314 00:12:01,480 --> 00:12:04,919 combined with working on executive functioning skills, 315 00:12:05,973 --> 00:12:09,581 combined with being able to just differentiate and 316 00:12:09,719 --> 00:12:11,494 individualized in the moment 317 00:12:11,871 --> 00:12:13,146 with such freedom. 318 00:12:13,798 --> 00:12:15,631 Has been such a joy. 319 00:12:16,269 --> 00:12:18,102 Because Steven in a small group or even 320 00:12:18,102 --> 00:12:19,855 if you're pulling a student in in a 321 00:12:19,855 --> 00:12:20,891 classroom. Right? 322 00:12:21,625 --> 00:12:22,264 1 on 1, 323 00:12:22,985 --> 00:12:23,964 that's wonderful, 324 00:12:24,745 --> 00:12:26,745 but you don't get to do it for 325 00:12:26,745 --> 00:12:27,245 50 326 00:12:27,704 --> 00:12:30,429 uninterrupted minutes. Ever. Like, let's eat at all, 327 00:12:30,589 --> 00:12:32,260 you know? While jumping on a tram. 328 00:12:32,897 --> 00:12:35,364 Well, while jumping on a tram, while having 329 00:12:35,364 --> 00:12:37,513 a snack if we need a snack. Yeah. 330 00:12:37,911 --> 00:12:39,696 They're are so many 331 00:12:40,624 --> 00:12:40,862 accommodations, 332 00:12:41,813 --> 00:12:42,131 modifications, 333 00:12:42,844 --> 00:12:43,899 fun environmental, 334 00:12:44,668 --> 00:12:45,644 kind of changes, 335 00:12:46,175 --> 00:12:50,581 are options that make this kind of environment 336 00:12:50,636 --> 00:12:52,066 and these learning sessions, 337 00:12:53,336 --> 00:12:53,836 really 338 00:12:54,625 --> 00:12:55,904 Impactful. Tailored. 339 00:12:56,225 --> 00:12:58,485 Yeah. Impactful and easily tailored 340 00:12:58,785 --> 00:13:01,024 to what each student needs at that time 341 00:13:01,024 --> 00:13:03,105 which, you know, changes as you get to 342 00:13:03,105 --> 00:13:05,679 know them, Oh, that was another thing. 343 00:13:06,320 --> 00:13:08,899 I wanted to talk about too. I wasn't 344 00:13:09,120 --> 00:13:09,620 sure 345 00:13:10,159 --> 00:13:11,059 kind of going 346 00:13:11,440 --> 00:13:14,076 into this... Sort of new path in life. 347 00:13:14,552 --> 00:13:17,484 I wasn't sure how building a rapport was 348 00:13:17,484 --> 00:13:19,490 going to go in a 1 on 1 349 00:13:20,432 --> 00:13:22,971 situation. When you were teaching in a classroom, 350 00:13:23,209 --> 00:13:26,089 right, you're building community, you're a family 351 00:13:26,874 --> 00:13:29,187 and they are. They're your kids for that 352 00:13:29,187 --> 00:13:29,506 year. 353 00:13:30,144 --> 00:13:32,218 So it's just a little bit different. It's 354 00:13:32,218 --> 00:13:33,196 a little bit 355 00:13:33,733 --> 00:13:36,626 more nuanced or differently nuanced, but 356 00:13:37,018 --> 00:13:38,715 I've been so happy 357 00:13:39,172 --> 00:13:41,963 and so pleasantly surprised just to see how 358 00:13:41,963 --> 00:13:42,463 quickly 359 00:13:42,920 --> 00:13:46,164 you form real and deep and meaningful connect 360 00:13:46,284 --> 00:13:49,155 chin. Mh. With these teeny tiny little humans. 361 00:13:49,475 --> 00:13:51,570 And I know that both practices 362 00:13:52,346 --> 00:13:54,978 see clients of all ages, but I've mostly 363 00:13:54,978 --> 00:13:55,855 worked with younger kids. 364 00:13:56,587 --> 00:13:57,461 Because I'm not cool enough. 365 00:13:59,926 --> 00:14:01,833 Very intimidating those high schoolers, 366 00:14:02,628 --> 00:14:04,059 but the little dudes as I call them. 367 00:14:04,616 --> 00:14:05,411 The little dudes, 368 00:14:06,141 --> 00:14:09,080 love you. Oh, well, that's sweet. They do. 369 00:14:09,398 --> 00:14:12,519 We probably share the same maturity level. Maybe 370 00:14:14,419 --> 00:14:17,211 And, Alyssa, are you seeing kids virtually as 371 00:14:17,211 --> 00:14:19,286 well? I see some kids on Zoom, and 372 00:14:19,366 --> 00:14:21,121 I see some kids in the office. Yeah. 373 00:14:21,281 --> 00:14:23,770 So both. I know that's oftentimes the fear 374 00:14:23,770 --> 00:14:25,366 both clinician and parent. 375 00:14:26,164 --> 00:14:29,038 Amount that rapport. You're around finding for Stefan 376 00:14:29,038 --> 00:14:31,465 and I we've have always found. The rapport 377 00:14:31,679 --> 00:14:32,179 with 378 00:14:33,186 --> 00:14:35,645 the letters that were seeing virtually to be 379 00:14:35,645 --> 00:14:38,597 meaningful. You're fighting that as well. Yes, I 380 00:14:38,597 --> 00:14:41,693 felt pretty confident. Funnily enough, I think I 381 00:14:41,693 --> 00:14:42,829 felt more confident 382 00:14:43,361 --> 00:14:45,426 about my Zoom kiddo than my in person 383 00:14:45,426 --> 00:14:46,561 kiddo because, 384 00:14:47,109 --> 00:14:49,262 you know, way back when when Covid happened, 385 00:14:49,740 --> 00:14:51,814 like, we came home on that Friday, the 386 00:14:51,814 --> 00:14:54,525 thirteenth and boom. Yeah. On Monday, we were 387 00:14:54,525 --> 00:14:57,406 a hundred percent all in with online Kindergarten, 388 00:14:57,564 --> 00:15:00,736 which is a whole other. Yeah. Podcast topic. 389 00:15:01,291 --> 00:15:04,012 But you know, if we're able to 390 00:15:05,120 --> 00:15:06,100 maintain that 391 00:15:06,879 --> 00:15:08,980 interaction and focus and engagement 392 00:15:09,519 --> 00:15:11,039 with 25 393 00:15:11,039 --> 00:15:11,839 5 year olds, 394 00:15:12,491 --> 00:15:16,071 via Zoom of during Covid. Our team really 395 00:15:16,071 --> 00:15:18,855 worked well together, and we learned a lot 396 00:15:18,855 --> 00:15:21,572 of skills that translate to any age of 397 00:15:21,572 --> 00:15:21,970 learner, 398 00:15:22,526 --> 00:15:25,466 also just tools, tricks, fun games, 399 00:15:25,864 --> 00:15:27,715 different techniques that you 400 00:15:28,183 --> 00:15:30,808 find helpful on Zoom, but maybe you wouldn't 401 00:15:30,808 --> 00:15:32,638 necessarily use in person and vice versa. Right? 402 00:15:32,956 --> 00:15:35,000 Right. It depends on the setting. So I 403 00:15:35,200 --> 00:15:37,840 felt confident about my Zoom clients and being 404 00:15:37,840 --> 00:15:39,840 able to connect with them which sounds like 405 00:15:39,840 --> 00:15:41,120 so funny. It sounds like it would be 406 00:15:41,120 --> 00:15:44,250 the opposite, but I I think because I 407 00:15:44,250 --> 00:15:45,389 was used to 408 00:15:45,847 --> 00:15:48,002 well almost performing in a way. Right? Like, 409 00:15:48,082 --> 00:15:49,998 when you're teaching. Right. It is. You're kind 410 00:15:49,998 --> 00:15:53,447 of performing because everything has to be over 411 00:15:53,447 --> 00:15:56,563 the top and bigger than life to keep 412 00:15:56,563 --> 00:15:58,661 their attention and engagement. 413 00:15:59,372 --> 00:15:59,848 Going, 414 00:16:00,324 --> 00:16:02,332 and it's been really refreshing 415 00:16:02,943 --> 00:16:04,451 to be able to, like, dial it back 416 00:16:04,451 --> 00:16:06,911 a little bit I'm still working on just 417 00:16:06,911 --> 00:16:07,411 lowering 418 00:16:07,959 --> 00:16:09,477 my volume level. Mh. 419 00:16:11,075 --> 00:16:13,871 I will never forget long long ago when 420 00:16:13,951 --> 00:16:15,090 I taught first grade 421 00:16:15,564 --> 00:16:18,118 We got those new sound systems installed, and 422 00:16:18,118 --> 00:16:19,896 everyone had, like, the little microphone 423 00:16:20,354 --> 00:16:22,589 and you didn't have to project your voice 424 00:16:22,589 --> 00:16:24,185 in Yada yada around the classroom. 425 00:16:24,839 --> 00:16:27,630 And my partner teacher who his teaching ninth 426 00:16:27,630 --> 00:16:30,422 store came over and she's like, girl, maybe 427 00:16:30,422 --> 00:16:31,220 you don't need the microphone. 428 00:16:33,134 --> 00:16:36,332 So sorry, which so I've just always been 429 00:16:36,332 --> 00:16:37,071 a loud 430 00:16:37,445 --> 00:16:37,922 talker, 431 00:16:38,398 --> 00:16:41,339 which is great for recess duty. Right? Yeah. 432 00:16:41,497 --> 00:16:43,499 But so when you're working 1 on 1, 433 00:16:43,817 --> 00:16:46,043 not necessary and a little over bearing. So 434 00:16:46,202 --> 00:16:48,586 I'm still learning that I can just use 435 00:16:48,586 --> 00:16:51,166 my indoor voice. All the time, and it's 436 00:16:51,301 --> 00:16:52,730 been such a nice change. 437 00:16:55,192 --> 00:16:55,906 That's so funny. 438 00:16:56,621 --> 00:16:59,255 So now that we've talked about your sort 439 00:16:59,255 --> 00:16:59,968 of journey. 440 00:17:00,760 --> 00:17:03,217 I wanna talk a little bit about who 441 00:17:03,217 --> 00:17:05,912 you think or why you think this leap, 442 00:17:06,484 --> 00:17:07,922 you had to take. That was a little 443 00:17:07,922 --> 00:17:08,721 bit forced on you. 444 00:17:10,639 --> 00:17:13,116 Is something that somebody could do. I know 445 00:17:13,116 --> 00:17:13,935 it's scary 446 00:17:14,648 --> 00:17:17,037 looking at a year ago, you know, we're 447 00:17:17,037 --> 00:17:20,086 recording this in June of 20 24. So 448 00:17:20,542 --> 00:17:22,214 June of 20 23, 449 00:17:22,533 --> 00:17:23,011 Alyssa, 450 00:17:23,664 --> 00:17:25,662 What would you say? What would you tell 451 00:17:25,662 --> 00:17:28,080 yourself? I would say like, girl don't 452 00:17:28,539 --> 00:17:31,017 break out about this. You've got it. You 453 00:17:31,017 --> 00:17:34,145 are fine. I just wasn't... Sure that my 454 00:17:34,145 --> 00:17:36,959 skills would translate, and they absolutely 455 00:17:37,735 --> 00:17:38,054 do. 456 00:17:38,772 --> 00:17:40,446 It was just new to me. That's all. 457 00:17:40,606 --> 00:17:42,201 And when things are new, they can be 458 00:17:42,201 --> 00:17:44,147 scary sometime. It doesn't matter 459 00:17:44,519 --> 00:17:47,135 how confident you are at a job you've 460 00:17:47,135 --> 00:17:49,513 done for 20 ba gazillion years. Right? When 461 00:17:49,513 --> 00:17:52,305 you're pivoting times and doing something within the 462 00:17:52,305 --> 00:17:54,948 the same realm, but not exactly the same 463 00:17:55,321 --> 00:17:57,622 position. You know, you need to learn some 464 00:17:57,622 --> 00:17:59,074 new skills for sure 465 00:17:59,383 --> 00:18:02,082 there's gonna be growth and opportunities to learn, 466 00:18:02,241 --> 00:18:02,741 but 467 00:18:03,432 --> 00:18:06,790 it's so absolutely worth it. I would say 468 00:18:07,338 --> 00:18:09,173 to all of those teachers out there who 469 00:18:09,173 --> 00:18:12,044 for whatever reason. Right? And the reason doesn't 470 00:18:12,044 --> 00:18:13,560 matter for whatever reason, 471 00:18:14,038 --> 00:18:16,532 who are in need of a change and 472 00:18:17,084 --> 00:18:20,026 are looking to maybe leave the classroom, but 473 00:18:20,026 --> 00:18:20,526 still 474 00:18:21,218 --> 00:18:23,786 just have that passion for 475 00:18:24,478 --> 00:18:26,984 education are that love for students 476 00:18:27,440 --> 00:18:29,772 who really wanna make that 1 on 1 477 00:18:29,909 --> 00:18:30,887 connection and 478 00:18:31,264 --> 00:18:33,437 make a difference in the 479 00:18:33,973 --> 00:18:34,473 everyday 480 00:18:35,105 --> 00:18:37,444 lives of these kids in their 481 00:18:37,984 --> 00:18:38,964 school journeys. 482 00:18:40,464 --> 00:18:40,964 Absolutely 483 00:18:41,585 --> 00:18:43,585 reach out and give it a try. It 484 00:18:43,585 --> 00:18:47,050 has been so rewarding for me. I've met 485 00:18:47,188 --> 00:18:48,484 the most talented 486 00:18:48,861 --> 00:18:49,737 learning specialists, 487 00:18:50,295 --> 00:18:51,113 at therapists, 488 00:18:52,525 --> 00:18:53,025 counselors, 489 00:18:54,530 --> 00:18:55,030 so 490 00:18:55,403 --> 00:18:58,024 many people that I, you know, never would 491 00:18:58,024 --> 00:18:59,612 have thought I would have gotten to me 492 00:18:59,612 --> 00:19:02,648 and being able to spend that time 1 493 00:19:02,648 --> 00:19:05,462 on 1 with kiddo in such a meaningful 494 00:19:05,521 --> 00:19:09,032 way is just beyond rewarding. So is teaching, 495 00:19:09,271 --> 00:19:09,771 but 496 00:19:10,483 --> 00:19:12,158 when you are at the point or 4 497 00:19:12,158 --> 00:19:14,551 or whatever reason, it's not for you anymore, 498 00:19:15,508 --> 00:19:18,300 this is just such the perfect fit. The 499 00:19:18,300 --> 00:19:21,104 perfect segue. Into part 2, part 2 of 500 00:19:21,104 --> 00:19:21,604 your 501 00:19:22,137 --> 00:19:23,887 educational career. I don't think you could have 502 00:19:23,887 --> 00:19:25,818 said it any better. The thing that 503 00:19:26,193 --> 00:19:28,181 I think I remember you saying you had 504 00:19:28,181 --> 00:19:31,012 this too fear of not being able to 505 00:19:31,871 --> 00:19:33,788 fill your cup the way you were in 506 00:19:33,788 --> 00:19:35,227 the classroom. Mh. 507 00:19:35,706 --> 00:19:36,845 Then I remember 508 00:19:37,159 --> 00:19:38,217 I don't know. Maybe 509 00:19:38,992 --> 00:19:41,384 5 or 6 months ago, you said to 510 00:19:41,384 --> 00:19:41,624 me, 511 00:19:42,421 --> 00:19:44,015 Stephanie, I'm never going back. 512 00:19:46,344 --> 00:19:49,221 And I think that was the moments where 513 00:19:49,221 --> 00:19:52,017 you started to feel... Okay. This is my 514 00:19:52,017 --> 00:19:54,195 journey now. Yeah. And 515 00:19:54,669 --> 00:19:56,820 isn't what you expected. It doesn't look the 516 00:19:56,820 --> 00:19:59,530 same. Right. But you're still filling your cup. 517 00:19:59,690 --> 00:20:01,841 It's just a little bit different. Exactly. 518 00:20:02,654 --> 00:20:03,554 It's been 519 00:20:04,013 --> 00:20:04,913 so amazing. 520 00:20:05,611 --> 00:20:08,089 What was an unexpected thing that happened as 521 00:20:08,089 --> 00:20:11,525 you transitioned? Oh, my gosh. So probably the 522 00:20:11,525 --> 00:20:12,025 biggest 523 00:20:12,579 --> 00:20:13,478 was surprise 524 00:20:13,856 --> 00:20:15,793 and kind of full circle moment 525 00:20:16,250 --> 00:20:16,750 was 526 00:20:17,927 --> 00:20:20,741 discovering that a Fellow team member 527 00:20:21,771 --> 00:20:22,828 my ad therapist 528 00:20:23,283 --> 00:20:26,250 was in my very first class 529 00:20:26,625 --> 00:20:28,535 when she was a third grader. 530 00:20:29,569 --> 00:20:30,420 Several several 531 00:20:30,776 --> 00:20:33,235 several years ago, and she was also a 532 00:20:33,235 --> 00:20:35,217 flower girl in my wedding, which is... Oh, 533 00:20:35,455 --> 00:20:36,248 my gosh. 534 00:20:36,803 --> 00:20:37,303 Mostly. 535 00:20:38,310 --> 00:20:39,064 Several and 536 00:20:39,440 --> 00:20:39,940 reconnected 537 00:20:40,316 --> 00:20:43,183 years later, and I remember calling her and 538 00:20:43,183 --> 00:20:45,095 asking her if it was okay if I 539 00:20:45,095 --> 00:20:47,086 interviewed for this job because I didn't wanna, 540 00:20:47,166 --> 00:20:47,325 like... 541 00:20:48,299 --> 00:20:50,457 Invade her space or step on her toes, 542 00:20:50,616 --> 00:20:52,215 Like, how weird to get a phone call, 543 00:20:52,694 --> 00:20:55,092 bring your third grade teacher, you know, twenties, 544 00:20:55,332 --> 00:20:56,690 some odd years later, 545 00:20:57,424 --> 00:20:59,664 And she said, are you crazy? Oh, my 546 00:20:59,664 --> 00:21:00,724 god. Of course 547 00:21:01,265 --> 00:21:03,765 go for it, and it has been so 548 00:21:03,904 --> 00:21:04,625 much fun. 549 00:21:05,438 --> 00:21:06,974 Just seeing her 550 00:21:07,509 --> 00:21:10,479 grow and develop into this amazing 551 00:21:11,015 --> 00:21:13,803 ad therapist and now I'm learning from her, 552 00:21:14,042 --> 00:21:14,622 which is 553 00:21:15,171 --> 00:21:18,502 I mean, beyond. Right? Beyond all expectations. So 554 00:21:18,502 --> 00:21:21,041 that was probably the biggest kind of surprise 555 00:21:21,041 --> 00:21:23,941 in this whole product. Yeah. Which is just 556 00:21:24,077 --> 00:21:26,305 wonderful. I think the other thing that you 557 00:21:26,305 --> 00:21:28,136 and I have talked about some too is 558 00:21:28,136 --> 00:21:29,886 just sort of looking at things from a 559 00:21:29,886 --> 00:21:30,682 different lens. 560 00:21:31,414 --> 00:21:33,966 Now in the practice and just sort of 561 00:21:33,966 --> 00:21:36,540 learning some of the things that 562 00:21:38,034 --> 00:21:40,905 you couldn't pay attention to with 26 other 563 00:21:40,905 --> 00:21:44,274 kids. That now you can pay attention to 564 00:21:44,328 --> 00:21:46,571 with each individual student 565 00:21:46,943 --> 00:21:49,103 and what they're going through. Like we were 566 00:21:49,103 --> 00:21:51,896 just talking about vision therapy, for instance. Right? 567 00:21:52,136 --> 00:21:54,291 You wouldn't necessarily know that some of your 568 00:21:54,291 --> 00:21:56,047 students were doing it because the parents might 569 00:21:56,047 --> 00:21:56,606 not tell you. 570 00:21:57,576 --> 00:22:00,271 As a classroom teacher. And now they're telling 571 00:22:00,271 --> 00:22:02,331 you because you're part of the team. Right. 572 00:22:02,648 --> 00:22:04,179 You get the chance 573 00:22:04,964 --> 00:22:06,580 while working in this setting 574 00:22:07,197 --> 00:22:08,096 to know 575 00:22:08,952 --> 00:22:12,062 everything there is to know about your client 576 00:22:12,062 --> 00:22:14,237 in order to help them 577 00:22:14,868 --> 00:22:17,017 the best way you can and to support 578 00:22:17,017 --> 00:22:19,244 them the best way you can, and it 579 00:22:19,244 --> 00:22:21,154 really is... I mean, you said it best. 580 00:22:21,313 --> 00:22:24,113 It really is a team effort. Right? And 581 00:22:24,113 --> 00:22:25,549 so our role, 582 00:22:26,267 --> 00:22:28,761 we're 1 part of the team, and 583 00:22:29,138 --> 00:22:33,068 being able to communicate with these students teachers 584 00:22:33,206 --> 00:22:36,034 with other specialists who support them 585 00:22:36,491 --> 00:22:39,442 has been so helpful. We all kind of 586 00:22:39,442 --> 00:22:39,942 share 587 00:22:41,117 --> 00:22:43,724 information, right, and knowledge about what's working best 588 00:22:44,321 --> 00:22:47,585 what else could be try and supporting both 589 00:22:47,585 --> 00:22:50,530 the students and parents. Mh. You know, during 590 00:22:50,530 --> 00:22:52,850 that process and test you know, as a 591 00:22:52,850 --> 00:22:55,150 mom myself, like, Got it, it can be 592 00:22:55,150 --> 00:22:58,243 really scary when you're reaching out for some 593 00:22:58,243 --> 00:22:59,775 support for your kiddo. And 594 00:23:00,164 --> 00:23:02,979 it feels really good to be 595 00:23:04,155 --> 00:23:05,134 that helpful 596 00:23:05,511 --> 00:23:07,209 person. Right? Who's there 597 00:23:07,666 --> 00:23:08,166 to 598 00:23:09,116 --> 00:23:11,365 alleviate some fears for parents 599 00:23:11,898 --> 00:23:14,147 to really give our clients 600 00:23:14,680 --> 00:23:18,357 this power. You are a learner. You are 601 00:23:18,357 --> 00:23:21,068 a reader. You are a writer. Right? Helping 602 00:23:21,068 --> 00:23:24,575 them see themselves as whatever they did not, 603 00:23:24,908 --> 00:23:27,205 when they came in. I just started with 604 00:23:27,205 --> 00:23:28,735 a new client and 605 00:23:29,424 --> 00:23:31,934 during our first session. I mean, I almost 606 00:23:32,134 --> 00:23:34,527 my heart was breaking. She said, I hate 607 00:23:34,527 --> 00:23:36,999 reading, and I was like, stop everything. Yeah. 608 00:23:37,239 --> 00:23:39,472 You know, I kept it together. But inside, 609 00:23:39,711 --> 00:23:42,279 I was falling apart. You know? Yeah. As 610 00:23:42,279 --> 00:23:44,117 the woman who has a stack of books 611 00:23:44,117 --> 00:23:46,595 in waiting to read at all times. Right? 612 00:23:46,835 --> 00:23:50,191 So it's my job with her, like, job 613 00:23:50,191 --> 00:23:53,311 number 1 is to... Flip that thinking around, 614 00:23:53,708 --> 00:23:56,168 email and show her. Yeah. Flip the script. 615 00:23:56,565 --> 00:23:58,152 That's the 1 that we were playing with 616 00:23:58,152 --> 00:24:00,234 v inside out. Dolls. Yes. 617 00:24:01,030 --> 00:24:02,542 That was fun. We had some fun with 618 00:24:02,542 --> 00:24:04,850 that You and I. Yep. Well, and it's 619 00:24:04,850 --> 00:24:06,783 so cool to be able to 620 00:24:07,093 --> 00:24:09,498 use some, you know, non traditional 621 00:24:09,950 --> 00:24:12,592 methods and and be able to 622 00:24:13,283 --> 00:24:15,291 practice to work in 623 00:24:15,840 --> 00:24:19,120 a more relaxed setting. That's been really, really 624 00:24:19,120 --> 00:24:21,680 fun. You know? So my office, it looks 625 00:24:21,680 --> 00:24:22,960 like a living room. Yes. 626 00:24:23,695 --> 00:24:26,174 Like, the big waiting rooms sort of area. 627 00:24:26,494 --> 00:24:27,934 Yeah. And you sit at the table that's, 628 00:24:28,015 --> 00:24:29,535 like, sort of the kitchen table, the dining 629 00:24:29,535 --> 00:24:32,666 room table. And there's a couch. And you 630 00:24:32,666 --> 00:24:33,623 sort of just, you know, 631 00:24:34,500 --> 00:24:37,053 naturally treated as this just come into my 632 00:24:37,053 --> 00:24:39,685 living area type of environment, and the kids 633 00:24:39,685 --> 00:24:41,360 feel that. I can see them feeling that. 634 00:24:41,694 --> 00:24:43,775 Oh, good. Good. Well, I think I was 635 00:24:43,775 --> 00:24:46,095 like, okay, this is the biggest space. 636 00:24:46,815 --> 00:24:48,575 This is the most like a classroom. I'm 637 00:24:48,575 --> 00:24:50,335 like, I feel the most at home here. 638 00:24:50,750 --> 00:24:53,230 I can move around, like, it feels good. 639 00:24:53,549 --> 00:24:56,910 And it's just so casual. It's not formal. 640 00:24:57,150 --> 00:24:59,634 U. You know, the clients just call us 641 00:24:59,634 --> 00:25:02,016 by our first name, which is wild. I 642 00:25:02,016 --> 00:25:04,342 still can't get over that. Right? Because or 643 00:25:04,557 --> 00:25:06,717 when it's not a big deal, but for 644 00:25:06,717 --> 00:25:08,388 so many years when they call you missus 645 00:25:08,468 --> 00:25:10,616 Russo so so. It's just it's just funny. 646 00:25:10,855 --> 00:25:12,765 Right. But they know you differently and they 647 00:25:12,765 --> 00:25:15,334 trust you differently. It's just not that 648 00:25:16,202 --> 00:25:17,817 sort of traditional hierarchy. 649 00:25:18,193 --> 00:25:21,718 Right? You're still a person in an authority 650 00:25:22,094 --> 00:25:23,231 position, but 651 00:25:24,577 --> 00:25:27,285 especially maybe with the younger kiddo because they 652 00:25:27,285 --> 00:25:30,153 do need some redirecting and re engaging and 653 00:25:30,153 --> 00:25:33,101 and setting some limits, you know, etcetera, 654 00:25:33,674 --> 00:25:35,669 we need to make each session as productive 655 00:25:35,669 --> 00:25:38,622 as it can be, but also fun and 656 00:25:38,622 --> 00:25:41,256 also so that they are wanting to come 657 00:25:41,256 --> 00:25:43,584 back, I tell you that 1 of the 658 00:25:43,584 --> 00:25:46,296 best things I can hear from a parent 659 00:25:46,296 --> 00:25:46,796 is 660 00:25:47,253 --> 00:25:50,225 so and so always looks forward to coming 661 00:25:50,363 --> 00:25:52,372 session. Mh. You know, or I said to 662 00:25:52,372 --> 00:25:54,685 so and so, let's take this summer off 663 00:25:54,685 --> 00:25:58,136 and then we'll start again in August. And 664 00:25:58,354 --> 00:26:00,348 here she said, no. I wanna keep coming 665 00:26:00,348 --> 00:26:02,990 during the summertime time. And that just means 666 00:26:02,990 --> 00:26:04,579 the world to me. That just melts my 667 00:26:04,579 --> 00:26:06,725 heart. Right? That tells me I'm on the 668 00:26:06,725 --> 00:26:09,347 right track. We're always working to improve and 669 00:26:09,347 --> 00:26:12,550 to better ourselves, but knowing that these as 670 00:26:12,550 --> 00:26:15,025 little humans are making the choice to spend 671 00:26:15,025 --> 00:26:17,899 their time with you. Mh. Is huge. Is 672 00:26:17,899 --> 00:26:20,148 huge. And I'm so grateful for it. I 673 00:26:20,148 --> 00:26:22,080 think that's a lovely way to just 674 00:26:22,933 --> 00:26:25,401 say, if you're thinking about it or you're 675 00:26:25,401 --> 00:26:27,231 a teacher and have been wondering is this 676 00:26:27,231 --> 00:26:29,061 for you that says it all. 677 00:26:29,714 --> 00:26:30,772 Right? So 678 00:26:31,867 --> 00:26:34,101 thank you for sharing your experience because I 679 00:26:34,101 --> 00:26:37,153 think it's very meaningful to hear after leaving 680 00:26:37,291 --> 00:26:39,046 a setting that you're in for so long. 681 00:26:39,858 --> 00:26:41,693 That it looks a little different, 682 00:26:42,332 --> 00:26:43,550 but how 683 00:26:44,326 --> 00:26:46,661 natural it was for you and 684 00:26:47,213 --> 00:26:50,162 now you're on this path of helping learners 685 00:26:50,162 --> 00:26:51,756 in it little bit different of a way, 686 00:26:51,995 --> 00:26:54,625 but having a huge impact on their life, 687 00:26:54,799 --> 00:26:56,000 See the fact that a kid wants to 688 00:26:56,000 --> 00:26:58,000 come and still work on reading all summer 689 00:26:58,000 --> 00:27:00,640 with you and most of your clients chose 690 00:27:00,640 --> 00:27:00,880 that. 691 00:27:02,014 --> 00:27:04,251 It says something. It says something about you 692 00:27:04,251 --> 00:27:06,169 as an educator. It says something about you 693 00:27:06,169 --> 00:27:07,687 as a person, and it says something about 694 00:27:07,687 --> 00:27:09,625 the work that we do. Yeah. And 695 00:27:09,939 --> 00:27:11,715 Thank you for joining us. Thank you for 696 00:27:11,773 --> 00:27:13,847 being vulnerable and coming on and sharing your 697 00:27:13,847 --> 00:27:15,442 experience. I think it's gonna resonate with a 698 00:27:15,442 --> 00:27:17,676 lot of people. Thank you so much. It's 699 00:27:17,676 --> 00:27:19,670 just been such a pleasure. I really appreciate 700 00:27:19,670 --> 00:27:22,231 it. Go ahead and say our signature sign 701 00:27:22,231 --> 00:27:24,458 off. Have a great week, Smart. Have a 702 00:27:24,458 --> 00:27:24,935 great week.