Background Experience in Secondary and Post-Secondary Education: Science Education, School Administration and Leadership, Student Success, and Career Success. Location, Central Florida.
I have a diverse professional background spanning both healthcare and education–two fields that have shaped and influenced my career journey in meaningful ways. Early in my career, I worked in healthcare, specifically within the dental field, where I gained hands-on experience in both front-end operations and clinical care. I began by learning clerical duties, business operations, and administrative processes, then advanced to clinical roles earning my Expanded Duties Function and X-ray Certifications, which allowed me to assists dentists directing in patient care.
My ambition to learn and grow led me to opportunities in dental consulting and business travel, broadening my understanding of corporate business at a larger scale. However, when faced with the decision to either continue advancing in business or continue to pursue my bachelor’s degree, I chose to prioritize my education. This decision allowed me to build a stronger foundation for long-term growth, aligning my professional path with my personal values and goals.
Prioritizing my education opened the door to a career in teaching—one that grew and evolved with new opportunities. I began as a classroom teacher and quickly advanced into leadership roles, serving as a dean and later as a testing coordinator. Parallel to my professional growth, I earned a Master’s Degree in Science Education. This led to opportunities as an online adjunct instructor for several post-secondary institutions, further enriching my teaching experience.
Driven by a desire to lead and influence positive change in education, I enrolled in a PhD program in Educational Leadership. However, during the dissertation phase, I faced an unexpected and challenging situation that forced me to reflect and make a difficult decision. At the same time, I was presented with a significant career advancement opportunity in school administration—an opportunity that required administrative credentials and certification. History repeated itself: just as I had once chosen education over business advancement, I now faced the choice between completing my PhD or pursuing leadership. At 28 years old, with six years of increasing responsibility in education, I chose career advancement, earning my Specialist Degree and state certification.
This decision launched the next chapter of my career. Over the next eleven years, I served as Assistant Principal, Senior Administrator, and ultimately, Principal. These years were marked by rapid changes in education and increasing leadership responsibilities—all while attempting to balance my roles as a wife and mother. The growing demands and organizational restructuring eventually took a personal toll, leading to burnout that I didn’t fully recognize at the time. This became a defining moment: choosing between continuing on a prestigious administrative path or prioritizing personal well-being and my family.
With the support of my husband and through a series of transformative experiences, I chose personal betterment. I stepped away from school administration to realign my professional identity and personal values.
Presently, I am earning my third graduate degree in Rhetoric and Composition, further expanding my work in post-secondary education and rediscovering my passion for teaching and and new passion for writing. This chapter is about growth, balance, and empowerment—embracing who I am as an educator, a writer, a mother, and a professional who overcame burnout to build a more fulfilling path forward.
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