Paths in Progress

Where do you apply for your first teaching job out of college?  Hawaii, perhaps?  
That’s what Jackie did, and spent five unforgettable years there, where her teaching was transformed. She also tells us about her experiences as a long-term sub, a teacher in a private Catholic School, a Quaker School, teaching ESL in the Summer in China, and how she valued her Masters Degree experience and uses it in her classroom today.  Jackie also shares with us how college experiences outside of the classroom shaped her into the teacher and person she is today.  
Don’t miss this conversation about Jackie’s incredible journey of growth and lifelong learning!

Jackie and I have a shared love of storytelling through our podcasts. Check out her meaningful work on The Teacher Story Podcast!  

https://www.theteacherstory.com/ 

Sarah grew up in a small town in Ohio with dreams of becoming a Broadway star.  In college, Sarah discovered that singing in a rock band was actually what she enjoyed more!  After earning a degree in Music Education with a minor in Theater, Sarah explains how her personal life experience eventually led her from a career in the Arts to enrolling in graduate school to become a psychotherapist and business owner of Hand/Heart Therapy in Chicago.  She is a licensed clinical social worker, registered dual diagnosis professional, certified alcohol and other drug counselor, Certified Daring WayTM facilitator, and NARM Master Therapist. Sarah is also the creator, host and producer of the podcast Conversations with a Wounded Healer, which examines the parallel path of helping professionals of all types as they heal themselves, while supporting their clients.  Sarah also serves on the faculty of Loyola University in Chicago.  Join us for this inspiring conversation about how many of the pieces of Sarah’s journey have come together where she is doing what she is truly meant to do.  Although it may not be her official job title, she is without a doubt a Rock Star! 

You can check out Head/Heart Therapy and Conversations with a Wounded Healer here:

https://headhearttherapy.com/podcast/ 

Fleurette began her life in the Arts dancing as a small child.  As a teen, she attended a performing arts high school and started working as a choreographer.  After deciding she wanted to be a director, she studied her craft through an undergraduate degree, a certificate, and later an MFA.  After becoming probably the youngest Artistic Director of a theater at 21 years old, Fleurette’s journey continued to show her that the skills needed to lead and advocate for Arts organizations needed to be content taught in university programs.  Fast forward to today, where the Masters of Arts in Arts Leadership university program she founded is about to celebrate 10 years of training the next generation of Arts leaders in our communities.  If you have an interest to begin or remain working in the Arts, but not necessarily in the role of an artist, join us for this informative conversation about the many possibilities of working in a variety of roles within the Arts ecosystem. 

Check out the University of Houston Master of Arts in Arts Leadership here:
https://uh.edu/kgmca/arts-leadership/ 

Association of Arts Administration Educators:
https://artsadministration.org/ 

Adrian is an accomplished educator, musician, and conductor, who worked as a Choir Director in public schools and churches for many years.  As he tells his story, we return to some of the same questions: How much are we a product of circumstance? Agency? Serendipity? How much have our educational institutions shaped us?  Adrian is passionate about the power of education to change lives and communities, especially for those marginalized communities who don’t have access to resources they want and need.  Adrian shares with us how he has channeled his passions into his work with students in the arts, and how he hopes to continue this important work in his position at Juilliard.  Whether you are a choir nerd, a music teacher, or just someone who loves Arts Education, you don’t want to miss this episode! 

Katie has always been someone who is incredibly organized, driven, and disciplined–little did she know how much those inherent skills and personality would play into her career!  Join us for this enlightening conversation about how Katie went from wanting to work in public health, to business, to industrial engineering.  Her work has taken her all over the world and presented her with challenges she learned to navigate along her path.  Katie offers valuable advice and perspective for women entering the field of engineering and for students trying to decide what path to take in college and career.  

Jason grew up in a musical family, enjoyed photography, and decided to go to college to major in Journalism.  After studying in that program for a few years, his experience led him to change his path.  Jason describes several moments throughout his life where he reevaluated what he was doing and whether that was really what he wanted for his life. He has performed in an off-Broadway play, a Vegas residency, a major national tour, regional theaters, and has continuously performed on Broadway for several years now.  Join us for this insightful conversation about the life of a performer and how he has found multiple outlets to express his creativity and find fulfillment in his artistic work. 

Growing up in a musical family in a small Ohio farm town, Andrea was heavily influenced by her grandmother, a concert pianist.  Leaving for college to pursue music education, her plans changed when she realized she didn’t want to be a teacher.  A conversation with a professional on campus, led to an introduction with someone in an agency, which led her to move to New York City and begin her career in talent management.  It wasn’t until she was nearly done with college that Andrea learned about this career path that seemed perfectly tailored for her skillset and personality.  Join us for this conversation about a fast paced, competitive career path that took Andrea from a small farm town in Ohio to becoming a partner in one of the world’s leading talent agencies. 

After volunteering at the Houston Zoo as a teenager, Dr. Hein knew she loved working with animals and she wanted to study something in the sciences.  Once in school, she volunteered with a local animal rescue organization, worked in a veterinary clinic, studied abroad working with animals in the jungles of Belize, and later spent a summer treating dairy cows in Spain.  Join us for this informative conversation about the educational path of a veterinarian, what to consider financially as you go down that path, and how you can take advantage of your years in school to go on some incredible adventures as part of your educational experience.

Have you ever wondered how National Historic Landmarks earn their designation?  Who does the research? The proposal? Who makes those decisions? There are historians all over the country doing this important work to preserve the history of our country.  Christy tells us about her experience in one of these offices of the National Park Service, and her role in making a famous place a National Historic Landmark!  We talk about how a History degree can be beneficial to students, no matter what they pursue after graduation, and about the difficulty in leaving a “dream job” when life changes.  No matter your path, you’ll learn a lot from this episode–I know I did! 

When she headed to college as a pre-med student, Jess never would have guessed she would end up spending many years working in public relations for NASCAR, a sport she was completely unfamiliar with when she started!  Join us for this fun conversation about her life on the road, learning a sport she knew nothing about, and how you have to pivot in your career when life takes unexpected turns.