Position: Resource Counselor at Lazear Charter Academy
What led you to your current position? I was in the Wraparound program for almost five years before I joined Light the Change. I became a mother a couple months before making this switch and needed something with a consistent schedule. I was working with two Wrap clients that attended Lazear and when I visited, I got to know the school and kids a bit more. When the position became available, I was a bit hesitant because I loved my work with Wraparound and dreaded the thought of leaving my kids. I can truly say that I am happy I took this opportunity and although I miss my Wraparound kids a lot, I am hopeful that our time together provided them some tools, love, and growth for them to be their best selves! I truly enjoy the work I do at Lazear and hope to continue providing these services to my community.
What inspires you to do this work? I grew up in Oakland and have always been interested in working with kids. I had challenges throughout my childhood and can relate to a lot of the experiences that my kids go through. I want to provide a safe space for them to express themselves, collaborate with parents, and create an environment where my kids can be heard and prosper in their lives. As I am growing as a mother and going through different stages of life, I am finding more empathy for parents and seeing the value of helping them heal themselves so they can get to a point of being that safe space for their children.
What is a recent highlight you’ve experienced in the work or an important lesson you’ve learned in this role? A recent highlight was seeing my TK student attend his PE class independently and sit with peers at lunch. I had been working with him for a couple months on building a relationship with his PE teacher and peers. He would sit alone in class, not eat lunch with anyone, and not play with others. Now, he is going to class without me having to support, he plays with his peers and calls some of them his friends and can tolerate sitting with people at lunch! Seeing this shift in him has been amazing! I could not have done it without the support of his teachers and appreciate their collaboration and openness to different interventions.
Share your life motto or something unique about yourself. Remembering there are wounds we all carry, not taking things personally, and showing up for others. This work can be emotionally taxing, but seeing the smiles, hearing my name being called from across the school, receiving artwork for me to decorate my walls makes it worth it. I am excited for my son to receive that love from his teachers when he starts school here!
What led you to your current position? I was in the Wraparound program for almost five years before I joined Light the Change. I became a mother a couple months before making this switch and needed something with a consistent schedule. I was working with two Wrap clients that attended Lazear and when I visited, I got to know the school and kids a bit more. When the position became available, I was a bit hesitant because I loved my work with Wraparound and dreaded the thought of leaving my kids. I can truly say that I am happy I took this opportunity and although I miss my Wraparound kids a lot, I am hopeful that our time together provided them some tools, love, and growth for them to be their best selves! I truly enjoy the work I do at Lazear and hope to continue providing these services to my community.
What inspires you to do this work? I grew up in Oakland and have always been interested in working with kids. I had challenges throughout my childhood and can relate to a lot of the experiences that my kids go through. I want to provide a safe space for them to express themselves, collaborate with parents, and create an environment where my kids can be heard and prosper in their lives. As I am growing as a mother and going through different stages of life, I am finding more empathy for parents and seeing the value of helping them heal themselves so they can get to a point of being that safe space for their children.
What is a recent highlight you’ve experienced in the work or an important lesson you’ve learned in this role? A recent highlight was seeing my TK student attend his PE class independently and sit with peers at lunch. I had been working with him for a couple months on building a relationship with his PE teacher and peers. He would sit alone in class, not eat lunch with anyone, and not play with others. Now, he is going to class without me having to support, he plays with his peers and calls some of them his friends and can tolerate sitting with people at lunch! Seeing this shift in him has been amazing! I could not have done it without the support of his teachers and appreciate their collaboration and openness to different interventions.
Share your life motto or something unique about yourself. Remembering there are wounds we all carry, not taking things personally, and showing up for others. This work can be emotionally taxing, but seeing the smiles, hearing my name being called from across the school, receiving artwork for me to decorate my walls makes it worth it. I am excited for my son to receive that love from his teachers when he starts school here!
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