What is your experience in education and/or what degrees do you hold?

I graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2009 with a degree in Kinesiology: Physical Education Pedagogy. Shortly after graduating, I relocated to the U.S. Virgin Islands and began my teaching career at a small, private school teaching K-8 Physical Education.

In 2011, I returned to New England and spent 3 years teaching PreK-5 Physical Education in Winchester, MA while also working on my Master’s degree and assisting with implementation of new social emotional programs [at our school]. In 2014 I moved to Maine with my husband (also a teacher) and received earned a Master of Science in Health, Physical Education & Recreation.

In an attempt to ditch a painfully long commute, I changed districts & started teaching K-4 Physical Education in Dover, NH. I grew immensely during my time at GES; I helped implement a school-wide adaptive Physical Education program, presented at state conferences about the use of SEL in PE classes & was named Dover’s Teacher of the Year in 2017.

I loved teaching PE, but I longed to make more of an impact on students and took on the challenge of changing courses to teach middle school Health Education at Noble Middle School in Berwick, ME. I taught grades 6-7 before moving up to the high school level.

I was admitted to the University of Southern Maine’s Educational Leadership program in 2023 and am consistently looking for ways to improve and grow professionally and to make an impact in the world of education. I am currently taking several classes focusing on Classroom Mindset & am beginning my 14th year in education at Yarmouth High School in Yarmouth, ME.

How do you actually help people?

Not only do I have a passion for teaching children, it is my goal to support teachers that aren’t sure how to help themselves. Often the best teachers have lived through a particular experience and actually been in the other person’s shoes. I have been where you are. I have hated waking up for work every day. I have complained about my job so much that my husband said, “you need to make a change”. I have hid under covers and cried as soon as I got home… I didn’t think that I could turn it around, but I did. And I want to share just how I did this with you.

Every teacher’s situation is unique, and my goal is to dig deep during the initial consult (FREE, yay!) to help discover what type of intervention would be most successful. Some clients may choose to utilize 1:1 coaching (identify areas of concern, develop an action plan & implement new routines to help create change in the day-to-day), while others may opt for a mentorship group with occasional check-ins (access to private Facebook group with supportive vides, other teachers to lean on, resources to implement & weekly messages from your #1 cheerleader - ME!). If you’re self-motivated, you may choose to implement one of my custom online programs (Coming Soon!)

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to creating positive changes for burnt-out educators. That’s why it is imperative to book the complimentary consult to determine what action plan would be most effective for YOU!

Are you a LCSW or a therapist?

While I have a passion for Wellness & mental health & have taken several graduate level classes in the subject area, I am not a social worker, psychotherapist or psychologist; I will, however, use strategies that many counselors or coaches implement to identify areas of concerns, create boundaries & and help set goals for the future [as it relates to your career].

I will probe & dig deep to get you thinking about why you are feeling certain emotions and how you can make changes to experience more joy. In addition to giving a little tough love and encouraging you to put your plan into action, I will also be your biggest cheerleader. You can vent to me about your school day and I understand what you’re talking about. I’ll build you up, encourage you, and support you as you create positive change in your life.

Shouldn’t I be able to figure this out on my own?

We’ve been taught that “hard work and doing it on your own” are the keys to finding life, success, money, or happiness. A lot of educators, in particular, believe that asking for help and support are signs of weakness. You are not weak for seeking support. You may also believe that ‘education is changing’ and you ‘just have to deal with it’. Perhaps you’re even thinking that the only way to feel better is to leave the profession entire. This is not the only way. You can improve your situation without finding another career, struggling to make ends meet financially or settling for feeling unappreciated and unseen. You may need to change a few things, true, but you will find that you find joy in your teaching day, are more successful at work, are present with family and friends, are able to feel more financially supported and are feeling a sense of calm and joy in your daily life, not just in the classroom.

No athlete would consider going to the Olympics without the support of a coach. The extra edge the coach provides makes all the difference. Why shouldn’t you have this same advantage in your own personal and professional life?

How long must I commit to working with you?

The beautiful thing about seeking support from The Less Stressed Educator is that each program is carefully and thoughtfully crafted for each individual. There is no designated set amount of time that clients must commit to working with me. You may notice positive changes after only one meeting. However, usually it does take a little bit of time to implement changes and settle into a routine before you notice results. During the initial consultation (did I mention it is FREE?!), we will work together to discuss a variety of approaches that we could take in order to help you achieve your goals. Whether thats weekly meetings, the less hands-on mentorship group or just accessing resources to utilize one time, you have all the control when it comes to creating the plan that works best for you! A great idea to start is committing to 5 one-hour support sessions (you get 1 free!)

What about confidentiality?

What happens in our sessions stays in our sessions. I fully understand the value of your trust, and will take every precaution to safeguard it. I will provide you with a detailed description of the ethical code that governs every client-coach relationship I enter. This document not only places my standards before you in plain text, but also codifies our commitment to you, the client, and your progress.

How do I reach out with more questions?

If you’d like to e-mail me with specific questions, I can be reached at
sarah@less-stressed-educator.com. You can also book a FREE no-obligation consult to see if we might be a good fit to work with each other by clicking on the ‘Work With Me’ tab at the top of the page!