Transitioning Out of the Classroom

Since entering the education field in 2018, so much has changed—about our schooling, our society, and our own ways of thinking. While I am passionate about teaching and truly love being in the classroom, the 2024-2025 school year pushed me to consider another path. I can’t wait to share my transition from classroom English teacher to wellness and birthworker with all of you.

Here’s the vision: a wellness center where collective care and community reign. A breathing space for historically marginalized communities to connect, breathe, and grow that offers a variety of services including regular acupuncture and full spectrum doula support with the potential to expand to other areas with guest or permanent practitioners including death doula care, yoga, reiki, and art workshops. A true third space with music nights, book clubs, and writing workshops.

But that’s a long way away and I truly believe in taking each step one at a time. There is no race to the finish line and there’s so much to love and explore along the way. Right now, I am taking a DONA approved birth doula workshop (first weekend in October) and BADT’s 12 week full spectrum doula course while subbing through the 2025-2026 school year and waiting to hear back from NESA about my master’s in acupuncture application for Fall 2026!

So far, I’ve read Feed the Baby (an absolutely amazing and inclusive book about baby feeding—my favorite book so far), The Labor Progress Handbook, Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn, and The Birth Partner. I will always update with what I’m reading—both professionally and for pleasure—and would love to hear a good book rec from you!

Last week, I began a 6th grade long term sub position that will carry me through October and I am so excited to be there. The kids are great and the staff are incredibly helpful—it almost makes me sad to be transitioning out of teaching, but I’m glad to have this year to make that a smooth transition! We did some get to know you activities and played some games (Splat! and Do you love your neighbor?—always a crowd favorite). Now I’m off to dive into some of my own coursework and then review the elements of fiction lessons I’m teaching this week!

Happy Sunday—be safe, be smart, be kind.
—K