HipandTeach

I started off teaching 7th grade Special Education in 2002. I had one TMR student in a class of EMR students. At that time TMR was an acronym for Trainable Mental Retardation and EMR was an acronym for Educable Mental Retardation. My TMR student functioned on a Kindergarten level and my other students ranged from 2nd - 5th grade levels in reading and math. The next year, I went to the high school and taught LD (learning disabled) students in 9th & 12th grade English, and 9th grade World Geography (Inclusion). It was an amazing experience. It was during that experience that I would later realize Geography and History were my passions. I left teaching for a chance to work as a Fashion Buyer with a major retailer in Dallas, Texas. Much to my dismay, it was nothing like I anticipated. I returned and began working as a Retail Business Specialist for a major beauty chain. Even though I was in my dream industry, I always thought about my former students and longed to be back in the classroom. My old school system called me for a chance to come back to education and I thought about the long hours, and excessive work schedules I was asked to work as a manager. I decided to come back to teaching. I started teaching fifth grade English. I remained there for three years, until the Principal saw me drawing on my board one day and asked if I'd like to teach Art. I taught Art the following year and had a blast, but the teacher who took my place in fifth grade English was doing a terrible job teaching and the Superintendent asked if I'd come back to English. Of course, I did and helped whip those kids back into shape. I went to sixth grade English the next year and after two years, ended up on a major TV show for a cake reality show competition. Afterwards, I decided to take a chance at having my own bakery. It was the hardest job I've ever had. I was stressed, broke, raising a daughter with no benefits, and up to my head in cake flour. I decided after a year, it was never a passion, just a hobby that took on a life of its own because of the television show. I returned to teaching and discovered the atmosphere of public school was too challenging and daunting on my inner values, independent nature, love for being creative, and my belief system. I always enjoyed creating and designing and what ended up as a visit to Los Angeles, turned into a full-time career doing what I love! I still want to share my gift with educators and help alleviate their plate...because I know how overwhelming it can be.