We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Leticia Jones. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Leticia below.
Leticia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
In preparing to become a teacher, my energy was directed toward learning the science and art behind teaching. My educational philosophy is clear. I’d always lead and teach with love. connecting with the heart and then the mind of my students. I kept that promise. However, I wasn’t prepared for the physical, emotional, and spiritual toll this would have on me. With each passing year, the realities become real. Burnout is real. The politics of educating children are real. Work environments are toxic and non-supportive. Compensation is an insult. The teaching brand is losing its power with each passing year.
I was raised by an activist, so I began to give this issue a voice and ponder solutions. How do I rebrand the teaching profession? The first step is to reconnect teachers with their influence. Reconnect them to self-love, self-compassion, and self-care. Reconnect them with the power of choice. I frequently state that teachers do not have the time to wait for those in power to bring them relevant life-saving solutions.
During my role as a lead teacher, I began empowering my team by recommending simple restorative practices. For example, designating a specific time to answer emails Teachers get this. Emails can consume the day, and they all seem to be of high priority. An invisible red flag is always present. As a Teacher in Residence, I led compensation reform efforts. My role in talent management allowed me to support teacher interns and recruit teachers throughout the country. Building awareness and understanding of the importance of self-care practices in both capacities
It was a natural transition to launch a business that strives to support districts, schools, and teachers with the tools to create healthier spaces. Providing solutions that are holistic and unique to the organization’s space
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
My industries—education, mental health, and coaching—tapped me on the shoulder during my first week of kindergarten. I was overcome by separation anxiety. Mrs. Ruth, my kindergarten teacher, hugged it all away. At that moment, a seed was planted, and school became my haven. The teachers, students, and staff became an extended family throughout my educational career. My life of service as a teacher and giving back to the profession that had given so much to me was an organic move. As an educator, I’ve always believed in teaching and reaching the whole child. This inspired me to become a therapist (a professional counselor) and weave these skills into my craft. My skills granted me a greater awareness of the students and adults.
I experienced and witnessed teacher burnout. I witnessed the toxicity and dissatisfaction, and the narrative around the profession becoming much more negative. In my quest to change the narrative, I decided to leave the classroom. I moved full steam ahead tackling teacher compensation, teacher intern development, teacher recruitment, and retention. These experiences prepared me to take the big leap into entrepreneurship.
reignitED was launched to rebrand the teaching profession, one healthy teacher at a time. I bring my trifecta of skills as an educator, therapist, and HR professional to tackle this big task. We provide solutions that help organizations create healthier spaces. We are committed to creating tailored solutions to address culture and climate challenges through innovative consulting, customized professional development, coaching, and a holistic lens that redefines what workspaces can be. We believe that starting with people is the first and most critical step. Equipping teachers with the tools needed to prioritize their well-being is revolutionary. Then we work with leaders and tackle processes and partnerships. An ecosystem of wellness begins to take shape.
At reignitED, we are laser-focused on solving the challenges of teacher turnover and attrition. This challenge is, of course, not unique to the teaching profession. However, it is shrouded in secrecy, often minimized, and it’s often assumed that the teaching brand is healthy. It is not!
reignitED is unique in that we have a 3D view of the issues, and therefore the solutions are robust. For instance, we support leaders in identifying the effectiveness of their processes. A poor process or system impacts productivity and morale. These eventually lead to disengagement. Hence, mass resignations and “silent quitting.” An organization is a living, breathing organism, and poor processes can cause disease. We help schools, districts, and organizations make those connections.
The quality I appreciate most about our approach is the intentionality around building relationships and connecting with our clients. This creates an environment that fosters collaboration and trust.
This leads to strategic partners and how the right partners are essential. Strategic partners are important as they can provide financial and human resources. While resources are important, there must be an alignment of values, vision, and purpose that solidifies the partnership.
This is best exemplified when athletes or entertainers make statements or communicate a philosophy that is contrary to their endorsements. The partnership is often severed immediately. This happens often at the local school level. An organization will meet with a school leader interested in mentoring or tutoring students on a volunteer basis. The course leader sees this as an opportunity to add additional support (at no cost). The “program” starts with great momentum and enthusiasm. However, soon tutors stop showing up, mentors cancel, and students are disappointed. This is not a viable partnership. By creating a partner profile and developing a process, the partnership can positively contribute to the well-being of the organization.
I have a few shining moments that fill my heart with joy. I facilitated a workshop for teachers on self-care and how they can begin to take small steps toward making it a way of life. At the end of the workshop, a teacher asked if we could stay in touch, and we exchanged contact information. At the time, she was teaching high school economics. She took hold of self-care and did not let go. Today she is a full-time entrepreneur, in part because she prioritized herself.
My second shining moment is my work with a charter school in Atlanta. I was given the privilege to support the school in developing processes, curriculum, and staff development that focused on personal development (self-care), wellness newsletters for staff and families, and established mental health partnerships. What a difference a year can make. Students utilized the counseling department more, parents attended workshops, teachers and students started therapy, and I was able to get high schoolers to meditate.
We produce results. The results happen because reignitEd is a calling and an extension of my service to the world. I love people. The educational space is my niche, but people are people in any arena. People want to be seen, heard, loved, and valued. Yes, I said, “loved.”
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
My commitment to being a lifelong learner (student) and desire to grow has served me well. My mindset and approach have always been to grow and pivot. The need to pivot for me is not subtle at all. I begin to experience “professional claustrophobia.” When I launched in 2020, I was purely focused on individual teachers (and I still am). However, I began to see the need to pivot and address the entire system. empower teachers to thrive in challenging environments while also supporting the larger system as well.
This was not an easy decision at first. It felt like I was abandoning teachers. Teacher loyalty is real. As a business, we had to pivot and consider the bigger picture. Systemic reform impacts more teachers, which in turn positively impacts more students and produces a healthier narrative regarding the profession.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
As a Puerto Rican little girl growing up in the Bronx, resilience became my superpower early on. After 20+ years of service for one of the largest school districts in my state, I resigned. I resigned during a global pandemic. I left the security of a consistent salary, medical benefits, colleagues, and friends. It was time to pivot. It was time to take action.
As a teacher, I knew all things education. I had no MBA to draw from or business acumen to build upon. Educators, not CEOs, surrounded me. The learning curve is intense, scary, and as uncertain as the pandemic. I was financially preparing for a dream trip to Italy. The pandemic forced the shifting of funds. I invested in a business coach and participated in the Brand and Business Academy with Shontavia Johnson. This provided a foundation and a community of fellow women in business, primarily women of color. So refreshing!
Like my days growing up in the Bronx, I had to develop “business thick skin.” I resigned at the top of my game. I was now a little fish in a vast ocean. Social media did not help. I gave myself time to regroup and gain perspective. I returned to the things that built my resilience as a child: focus, determination, leaning on support, resourcefulness, visualizing the future, remaining organized, my faith, and remembering that “no” is not an option. My resilience was still there; I just had to reconnect with it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://projectreignited.com/
- Instagram: @reignit_ED
- Facebook: reignited.now
- Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/Leticiajones
- Twitter: @ProfesoraJonz
- Youtube: @theteacherwellnesslounge1907
Image Credits
Image Credit: Ashley Russell Ashley Shoots Photography