To Be or Not To Be… an Educational Consultant

Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of being a teacher. I played school with my stuffed animals in my mom’s high heels, passing back blank papers to my living room classroom of “students.” I was hooked and in love with being the best teacher for students. I was inspired by my fun, beautiful teachers that made hard topics easy to understand. As I grew older, I took the necessary steps to become a teacher. I read TONS of books (need any? I have a library full!) and soaked up every moment I could get in a classroom with a real teacher. I had mentors and role models. I finally entered college determined to become the best teacher I could be.

I even began a new dream- I wanted to become a principal. Well, after 8 years in elementary classrooms of both an urban and suburban community, I realized that I wanted to make an impact in education through my leadership capability and teaching experience, but being principal didn’t feel like the right avenue.

I must tell you that I am the only teacher in a family of businessmen (even though our last name means ‘teacher’). My dad is super successful in dreaming big dreams and then taking the necessary steps to accomplish them. He beats to his own drum and is quite good at it. He has always told me to get into business, educational business that is. I had NO IDEA how to do that. To be honest, I am a risk taker like my dad, but that risk… nu uh. That was too scary.

The other day we were talking as I normally call him for all my life and business advice (lucky guy!). He helped me develop a big hairy goal and I know from much of what I have read that if you are not a bit scared of the new journey you are embarking on then you didn’t dream big enough. Well, its safe to say that I am scared out of my mind to forge ahead on my new journey as an educational consultant and not a teacher. (I mean, I spent decades planning to be a teacher, but being a consultant is a new dream that I haven’t prepped myself for- where’s my personal library on this one?)

With that said though, I am super pumped to make a bigger impact. I have loved blogging and interacting with other teachers through social media. I know sharing what I have learned is going to be helpful to lots of teachers out there so its worth a shot, right?

One of my mentors is Angela Watson of The Cornerstone for Teachers. When I stumbled upon her blog 3 years ago, I was hooked on what her journey was all about. She taught and loved it. But then she stepped out in faith and started reaching teachers in new ways, from blogging educational resources to providing professional development to districts of teachers. Talk about inspirational! So I spent the last 3 years developing my social media presence and blogging about my classroom experiences. I am now ready to start stepping out.

I declared to my dad that day that I was ready to do this, like REALLY do it. Well, wouldn’t you believe it, but a day later Angela blogged about how to be an educational consultant?! Awesome timing. She has mentioned this topic before in passing but nothing as thorough as her most recent post (see here). Obviously, I signed up for the full meal deal and CANNOT wait to start my journey.

Stay tuned as I figure this whole thing out, at least in a way that works for me. I encourage you to dream BIG dreams and hold yourself to them by taking that first step.. even if you have no idea where you’re going!

What have you been saying you were going to do but haven’t done yet? 

About the author, Gretchen

I am a teacher trainer and coach. Working elbow to elbow with teachers and teacher leaders to ensure instructional proficiency and student achievement soar lights me up. We have a real need in our nation for strong educators to remain in the field. My blog, book, podcast, courses and instructional materials are geared towards empowering teachers (and those that lead them) to receive the support needed to grow and thrive today, tomorrow and always.

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