Smart, today, we welcome Alyssa up to the
podcast. Alyssa is a learning specialist at mia
therapist, and she is joining us today to
talk about her journey leaving the classroom environment.
She shares why she struggled leaving the classroom
and what she has learned since leaving the
classroom and joining my therapist.
She also shares what she would tell others
who are thinking about making this transition. If
you are interested in making this transition yourself
both cap educational therapy group and my ed
therapist are hiring. Feel free to reach out
to us at rachel Staff at Learn podcast
dot com to get more
information about how to apply. Let's dig in.
You want to learn faster
what's sometimes working harder
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the educational therapy podcast.
Hi, Smart. Welcome to episode 320 of Learn
Smarter. The educational therapy podcast. I'm Stephanie Pitt.
And I reach rachel kat And today, I
am thrilled to introduce the audience to Alyssa
Op who is a learning specialist at my
practice my ed therapist, and I'm excited to
have this conversation. So welcome, Melissa. Thank you
so much. I'm excited to be here. Yeah.
So why don't you start off by telling
us a little bit about who you are
and what you do and who you do
for? Sure. So long long ago in the
Olden days.
I started teaching for a teeny tiny school
district here in the south Bay and just
fell in love with the job.
My mom was a teacher in the same
district and I kind of just grew up
with teaching and early literacy
just in my blood and all around me.
I would go with her every summer to
help her set up her classroom and I
couldn't wait to have a classroom of my
own. So I started teaching in the late
nineties,
Kindergarten first grade third grade,
and
did that for about 25 years, which literally
flew by? I know it's cliche to say,
but it's wild when you look back and
you're like, oh my gosh, it really has
been that long.
I loved it.
But about a year ago, I needed a
change. I was ready for a change, just
due to some health reasons. I needed some
more flexibility in my schedule.
I need to spend more time with my
family. You know, we all go through different
seasons of life and flexibility I was just
at the point where
a traditional
kind of not 9 to 5, but as
we all know, teachers work of many more
hours than that. Yeah. Here's traditional teaching schedule.
It just wasn't quite possible for me anymore.
And I was
broken hearted about it. I still wanted to
teach. It's the only job I've ever wanted
to do, and I feel like it's not
just a job. It's just who I am.
Right? It's part of my identity, and I
just was at a loss. I knew I
needed to leave the classroom,
but still wanted to make an impact and
1 of my former students was
a client at my therapist and her mom
suggested
Oh my gosh. Alyssa, this would be perfect
for you.
You should check it out. And that's kind
of how I wound up meeting Stephanie and
everything else kind of fell into place. It
was such a happy accident. Mh. But it's
really where I think I was meant to
end up, and I have enjoyed my time
at my ad therapist so so much. I've
learned so much, which,
you know, when you've been doing a job
for a long time. You think you know
your stuff, but it's pretty cool to pivot
into a similar field and then be able
to learn so many new skills that you
can apply in a little bit of a
different learning setting. So it's kind of how
I ended up where I am now.
So I love that. It's been almost a
year.
Since you've been on the team. Isn't that
crazy?
Yeah. It's flown by. You are 1 of
the reading guru on the team.
And you and I have had many conversations
about how much it's in your blood and
how much you love it. It's not in
mind. To do breeding? Yeah. Yeah. Both of
us feel that way, but go 1.
No part of me wants to do it.
I did it, but I don't wanna do
it.
It's not where my heart is. And so
we all have our specialties. Right?
Exactly.
The biggest thing is
you were
well known in your district. And well known
in a couple of circles
being the go to Kindergarten teacher. You've won
some awards
fit demand kindergarten teacher.
Once some awards, you've done some stuff. So
I want us just to say, okay.
You had to leave the classroom for some
reasons that were very
external on why
you know, health family,
things like that. Yep. You and I I've
talked about this. It wasn't something that you
ever imagined you would do. It was just
sort of Oh, no. Course. Upon you in
a way that you weren't expecting, which is
what happens. Right? Life throws things that you
sometimes, and I'm trying to learn that
It's okay to not be in charge, but
boy, that's hard.
Fair enough.
So I wanted to talk about when I
originally said like, I would love to have
you come on. I wanted to really talk
about
this
transition of working
with clients in an educational therapy setting of
the 1 on 1, the difference.
And you know there's a lot of
teachers out there that are wondering, Okay. How
is it different? And also, it's very scary.
Well, and what I love about this is
we've had other people in the past who
are looking to make a transition out
because they had, like, maxed out on being
in the classroom. Frankly, like, they were burnt
out on it. That wasn't the case here.
This was still a passion for you. This
was something that you loved. Right. So I'm
excited to hear sort of your thoughts on
all of this. Well, yeah, definitely. So when
I started at my art therapist, I was
nervous.
Right? Anytime you're starting something new. No matter
how much experience you have. A new environment.
It's a new setting.
I just wasn't
exactly sure
what to expect, but honestly,
it just feels like you're doing
your job with 1 student at a time.
Mh.
Instead of 26
and putting out a hundred fire
in the middle of a lesson. I know
I told stuff on so many
occasions.
I am fl
at how much
I get done in 01:50 minute
session. I'm
shocked. I still am shocked every
single
session. And I think that is just because
right when you've been in the classroom,
especially in the elementary grades,
for a long time, you're used to never
saying
something 1 time. You are used to being
interrupted
constantly,
that's just the nature of the beast. Right?
Mh. Someone always has an injury, like, A911
injury. Right. Someone's running away, like, bathroom
accidents. Oh, I will not even start on
the bat this bathroom stories in Kindergarten
would going to the nurse.
And then you wonder, like, are they gonna
come back? Right. Right. Right. You can't send
anyone alone anywhere. They all have to travel
and pack.
Great and I know that sounds so dramatic
and, like, over the top, but all of
that to say, you're just
never in a place where you can get
through a less sin uninterrupted. And that's okay.
Right? That's okay. There are wonderful
social and community benefits of the classroom
atmosphere an environment that are such an important
part of the process for kids.
But,
you know, sometimes I would get frustrated,
I couldn't get to
all that I wanted to get to,
especially
when pulling small groups.
So
I loved point small groups,
especially for reading instruction and writing instruction,
Pho instruction when I could for math as
well because you can really
differentiate
your instruction, you can remediate. You can enrich
you can group kids
in a flexible way that allows you to
really meet their needs in that moment.
But
you still have the rest of the
frame rate. I so that's where it would
get a little bit tricky and it's totally
fine. Kids need you. That's why you're there,
but I always felt torn between that small
group.
And that awesome lesson or activity I had
planned,
and then being able to monitor the other
20 21 22.
Your heads on a swivel. You can't do
it all well. Yeah. Yeah. You try your
best, and they learn, and everyone has a
great year, but
I would tend to get frustrated
that I didn't feel like I was as
productive as I wanted to be
that I've reached as many students in meaningful
ways as often as I wanted to.
And I'm always
impressed with how much I can accomplish
1 on 1 with a student during that
50 minute session time. What I'm hearing you
say, Alyssa is that you're able to
meet your goals with each learner
more efficiently.
Absolutely.
Yeah. Both. You just are able to provide
each client with
your 100 percent un
attention. It's
magic. That's where the magic happens. You see
those
moments where it all comes together for them
and
there aren't the distractions
that, you know, a classroom setting is naturally
gonna have, which is fine, but
that's been... I think the thing that surprised
me the most
transitioning over from
teaching in a typical
jen ad classroom
to
these sessions with students 1 on web. You
know, 1 of the things that we've talked
about in the past the whole thing about
you feeling like you weren't gonna be able
to make an impact,
and that's what you truly wanted. And now
that impact
looks a little different,
but it's definitely an impact. I mean, because
you and I have talked about some of
your clients
and
where they have grown
and
parents that are calling and, you know, struggling
with readers
they're really behind
oftentimes, like a couple of grades behind where
they should be. And you've shared with me
some of the winds of some of these
kids that have
almost caught up to grade level,
you know, within the year. Yeah. I've just
been so
pleasantly surprised. I just didn't really know what
to expect.
Like I said, which is what happens. Right?
When you try something new, and that can
make you feel a little bit nervous. It
can be a little bit overwhelming, but it
was a leap of faith, but it was
a leave I'm so glad I took. I've
seen me students working so hard,
gaining
not only
academic skills, but
confident
mh. Learning how to manage
their own learning environments
and
using
coping strategies and techniques
that worked best for how their brains learn.
And that 1 on 1,
instruction
combined with working on executive functioning skills,
combined with being able to just differentiate and
individualized in the moment
with such freedom.
Has been such a joy.
Because Steven in a small group or even
if you're pulling a student in in a
classroom. Right?
1 on 1,
that's wonderful,
but you don't get to do it for
50
uninterrupted minutes. Ever. Like, let's eat at all,
you know? While jumping on a tram.
Well, while jumping on a tram, while having
a snack if we need a snack. Yeah.
They're are so many
accommodations,
modifications,
fun environmental,
kind of changes,
are options that make this kind of environment
and these learning sessions,
really
Impactful. Tailored.
Yeah. Impactful and easily tailored
to what each student needs at that time
which, you know, changes as you get to
know them, Oh, that was another thing.
I wanted to talk about too. I wasn't
sure
kind of going
into this... Sort of new path in life.
I wasn't sure how building a rapport was
going to go in a 1 on 1
situation. When you were teaching in a classroom,
right, you're building community, you're a family
and they are. They're your kids for that
year.
So it's just a little bit different. It's
a little bit
more nuanced or differently nuanced, but
I've been so happy
and so pleasantly surprised just to see how
quickly
you form real and deep and meaningful connect
chin. Mh. With these teeny tiny little humans.
And I know that both practices
see clients of all ages, but I've mostly
worked with younger kids.
Because I'm not cool enough.
Very intimidating those high schoolers,
but the little dudes as I call them.
The little dudes,
love you. Oh, well, that's sweet. They do.
We probably share the same maturity level. Maybe
And, Alyssa, are you seeing kids virtually as
well? I see some kids on Zoom, and
I see some kids in the office. Yeah.
So both. I know that's oftentimes the fear
both clinician and parent.
Amount that rapport. You're around finding for Stefan
and I we've have always found. The rapport
with
the letters that were seeing virtually to be
meaningful. You're fighting that as well. Yes, I
felt pretty confident. Funnily enough, I think I
felt more confident
about my Zoom kiddo than my in person
kiddo because,
you know, way back when when Covid happened,
like, we came home on that Friday, the
thirteenth and boom. Yeah. On Monday, we were
a hundred percent all in with online Kindergarten,
which is a whole other. Yeah. Podcast topic.
But you know, if we're able to
maintain that
interaction and focus and engagement
with 25
5 year olds,
via Zoom of during Covid. Our team really
worked well together, and we learned a lot
of skills that translate to any age of
learner,
also just tools, tricks, fun games,
different techniques that you
find helpful on Zoom, but maybe you wouldn't
necessarily use in person and vice versa. Right?
Right. It depends on the setting. So I
felt confident about my Zoom clients and being
able to connect with them which sounds like
so funny. It sounds like it would be
the opposite, but I I think because I
was used to
well almost performing in a way. Right? Like,
when you're teaching. Right. It is. You're kind
of performing because everything has to be over
the top and bigger than life to keep
their attention and engagement.
Going,
and it's been really refreshing
to be able to, like, dial it back
a little bit I'm still working on just
lowering
my volume level. Mh.
I will never forget long long ago when
I taught first grade
We got those new sound systems installed, and
everyone had, like, the little microphone
and you didn't have to project your voice
in Yada yada around the classroom.
And my partner teacher who his teaching ninth
store came over and she's like, girl, maybe
you don't need the microphone.
So sorry, which so I've just always been
a loud
talker,
which is great for recess duty. Right? Yeah.
But so when you're working 1 on 1,
not necessary and a little over bearing. So
I'm still learning that I can just use
my indoor voice. All the time, and it's
been such a nice change.
That's so funny.
So now that we've talked about your sort
of journey.
I wanna talk a little bit about who
you think or why you think this leap,
you had to take. That was a little
bit forced on you.
Is something that somebody could do. I know
it's scary
looking at a year ago, you know, we're
recording this in June of 20 24. So
June of 20 23,
Alyssa,
What would you say? What would you tell
yourself? I would say like, girl don't
break out about this. You've got it. You
are fine. I just wasn't... Sure that my
skills would translate, and they absolutely
do.
It was just new to me. That's all.
And when things are new, they can be
scary sometime. It doesn't matter
how confident you are at a job you've
done for 20 ba gazillion years. Right? When
you're pivoting times and doing something within the
the same realm, but not exactly the same
position. You know, you need to learn some
new skills for sure
there's gonna be growth and opportunities to learn,
but
it's so absolutely worth it. I would say
to all of those teachers out there who
for whatever reason. Right? And the reason doesn't
matter for whatever reason,
who are in need of a change and
are looking to maybe leave the classroom, but
still
just have that passion for
education are that love for students
who really wanna make that 1 on 1
connection and
make a difference in the
everyday
lives of these kids in their
school journeys.
Absolutely
reach out and give it a try. It
has been so rewarding for me. I've met
the most talented
learning specialists,
at therapists,
counselors,
so
many people that I, you know, never would
have thought I would have gotten to me
and being able to spend that time 1
on 1 with kiddo in such a meaningful
way is just beyond rewarding. So is teaching,
but
when you are at the point or 4
or whatever reason, it's not for you anymore,
this is just such the perfect fit. The
perfect segue. Into part 2, part 2 of
your
educational career. I don't think you could have
said it any better. The thing that
I think I remember you saying you had
this too fear of not being able to
fill your cup the way you were in
the classroom. Mh.
Then I remember
I don't know. Maybe
5 or 6 months ago, you said to
me,
Stephanie, I'm never going back.
And I think that was the moments where
you started to feel... Okay. This is my
journey now. Yeah. And
isn't what you expected. It doesn't look the
same. Right. But you're still filling your cup.
It's just a little bit different. Exactly.
It's been
so amazing.
What was an unexpected thing that happened as
you transitioned? Oh, my gosh. So probably the
biggest
was surprise
and kind of full circle moment
was
discovering that a Fellow team member
my ad therapist
was in my very first class
when she was a third grader.
Several several
several years ago, and she was also a
flower girl in my wedding, which is... Oh,
my gosh.
Mostly.
Several and
reconnected
years later, and I remember calling her and
asking her if it was okay if I
interviewed for this job because I didn't wanna,
like...
Invade her space or step on her toes,
Like, how weird to get a phone call,
bring your third grade teacher, you know, twenties,
some odd years later,
And she said, are you crazy? Oh, my
god. Of course
go for it, and it has been so
much fun.
Just seeing her
grow and develop into this amazing
ad therapist and now I'm learning from her,
which is
I mean, beyond. Right? Beyond all expectations. So
that was probably the biggest kind of surprise
in this whole product. Yeah. Which is just
wonderful. I think the other thing that you
and I have talked about some too is
just sort of looking at things from a
different lens.
Now in the practice and just sort of
learning some of the things that
you couldn't pay attention to with 26 other
kids. That now you can pay attention to
with each individual student
and what they're going through. Like we were
just talking about vision therapy, for instance. Right?
You wouldn't necessarily know that some of your
students were doing it because the parents might
not tell you.
As a classroom teacher. And now they're telling
you because you're part of the team. Right.
You get the chance
while working in this setting
to know
everything there is to know about your client
in order to help them
the best way you can and to support
them the best way you can, and it
really is... I mean, you said it best.
It really is a team effort. Right? And
so our role,
we're 1 part of the team, and
being able to communicate with these students teachers
with other specialists who support them
has been so helpful. We all kind of
share
information, right, and knowledge about what's working best
what else could be try and supporting both
the students and parents. Mh. You know, during
that process and test you know, as a
mom myself, like, Got it, it can be
really scary when you're reaching out for some
support for your kiddo. And
it feels really good to be
that helpful
person. Right? Who's there
to
alleviate some fears for parents
to really give our clients
this power. You are a learner. You are
a reader. You are a writer. Right? Helping
them see themselves as whatever they did not,
when they came in. I just started with
a new client and
during our first session. I mean, I almost
my heart was breaking. She said, I hate
reading, and I was like, stop everything. Yeah.
You know, I kept it together. But inside,
I was falling apart. You know? Yeah. As
the woman who has a stack of books
in waiting to read at all times. Right?
So it's my job with her, like, job
number 1 is to... Flip that thinking around,
email and show her. Yeah. Flip the script.
That's the 1 that we were playing with
v inside out. Dolls. Yes.
That was fun. We had some fun with
that You and I. Yep. Well, and it's
so cool to be able to
use some, you know, non traditional
methods and and be able to
practice to work in
a more relaxed setting. That's been really, really
fun. You know? So my office, it looks
like a living room. Yes.
Like, the big waiting rooms sort of area.
Yeah. And you sit at the table that's,
like, sort of the kitchen table, the dining
room table. And there's a couch. And you
sort of just, you know,
naturally treated as this just come into my
living area type of environment, and the kids
feel that. I can see them feeling that.
Oh, good. Good. Well, I think I was
like, okay, this is the biggest space.
This is the most like a classroom. I'm
like, I feel the most at home here.
I can move around, like, it feels good.
And it's just so casual. It's not formal.
U. You know, the clients just call us
by our first name, which is wild. I
still can't get over that. Right? Because or
when it's not a big deal, but for
so many years when they call you missus
Russo so so. It's just it's just funny.
Right. But they know you differently and they
trust you differently. It's just not that
sort of traditional hierarchy.
Right? You're still a person in an authority
position, but
especially maybe with the younger kiddo because they
do need some redirecting and re engaging and
and setting some limits, you know, etcetera,
we need to make each session as productive
as it can be, but also fun and
also so that they are wanting to come
back, I tell you that 1 of the
best things I can hear from a parent
is
so and so always looks forward to coming
session. Mh. You know, or I said to
so and so, let's take this summer off
and then we'll start again in August. And
here she said, no. I wanna keep coming
during the summertime time. And that just means
the world to me. That just melts my
heart. Right? That tells me I'm on the
right track. We're always working to improve and
to better ourselves, but knowing that these as
little humans are making the choice to spend
their time with you. Mh. Is huge. Is
huge. And I'm so grateful for it. I
think that's a lovely way to just
say, if you're thinking about it or you're
a teacher and have been wondering is this
for you that says it all.
Right? So
thank you for sharing your experience because I
think it's very meaningful to hear after leaving
a setting that you're in for so long.
That it looks a little different,
but how
natural it was for you and
now you're on this path of helping learners
in it little bit different of a way,
but having a huge impact on their life,
See the fact that a kid wants to
come and still work on reading all summer
with you and most of your clients chose
that.
It says something. It says something about you
as an educator. It says something about you
as a person, and it says something about
the work that we do. Yeah. And
Thank you for joining us. Thank you for
being vulnerable and coming on and sharing your
experience. I think it's gonna resonate with a
lot of people. Thank you so much. It's
just been such a pleasure. I really appreciate
it. Go ahead and say our signature sign
off. Have a great week, Smart. Have a
great week.