There’s a unique kind of reflection that comes when your child walks across the graduation stage—not just as a parent, but as an educator. Recently, I watched my youngest child graduate from a school that didn’t just shape him—it helped shape me. And not just as a mother, but as a teacher, a coach, and eventually, a business owner.
This school was the last place I taught before stepping into a full-time coaching role. It was a school rooted in trust, built on empowerment, and guided by a people-first philosophy. In short, it was everything I needed to thrive—and everything I later realized so many new teachers were missing. That realization lit the fire that became New Teachers on the Block.
From Classroom to Coaching: A Seed Was Planted
In that charter school, I saw firsthand how strategic support, intentional onboarding, and a culture of care could fuel teacher retention. We weren’t perfect, but we were purposeful. New teachers weren’t just thrown into the deep end—they were welcomed, seen, and set up to succeed. I didn’t know it then, but those experiences became the blueprint for the work I do today.
As I transitioned into a coaching role, I carried the lessons from that school into every session, every training, every strategy. I learned that coaching wasn’t just about fixing—it was about building. Building confidence. Building clarity. Building culture.
That school taught me how to listen deeply, plan strategically, and honor the humanity of every educator. It taught me that new teachers don’t need saving—they need support. And that leadership begins the moment you treat new teacher development like a priority, not an afterthought.
Why I Started New Teachers on the Block
I founded New Teachers on the Block to create the kind of ecosystem I wish every new teacher had access to: one that combines strategy with soul, and structure with compassion. We’re not just about professional development—we’re about people development.
What we do is rooted in what I lived:
We help schools create custom onboarding plans that extend beyond orientation and into the critical first 30, 60, and 90 days. We coach school leaders to design data-driven strategies that align with generational needs—because Gen Z and Millennial teachers deserve a different kind of support. We provide training that addresses not just pedagogy but also wellness, time management, classroom culture, and professionalism.
At New Teachers on the Block, we don’t just prepare new teachers to survive—we help them belong, thrive, and stay.
Full Circle: A Graduation, A Goodbye, A New Beginning
Watching my child graduate was more than a milestone—it was a full-circle moment. It reminded me why this work matters. Because every thriving child is taught by a thriving teacher. And thriving teachers don’t just happen by accident—they’re built through intentional investment and care.
The school that poured into me as both a parent and an educator gave me a gift I now pay forward every day through New Teachers on the Block.
Call to Action
If you’re a school leader or district decision-maker wondering how to retain and reignite your new teachers, let’s talk. The system isn’t broken—it just needs better design.
📩 Connect with us to create a first-year experience that turns your new teachers into next-gen leaders.
🌐 Visit www.newteachersontheblock.com or message me directly.
Because the best kind of nostalgia is knowing you helped someone else begin.