Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna.

Hi Jenna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?

Sometimes, I reflect on the experiences that have brought me to where I am today. These moments make me think about everything I’ve been through to get here. I often feel as if things don’t make sense, but in reality, it’s all connected. For example, my passion for helping children and providing counseling stems from the lack of support I felt in middle school and high school when I was secretly dealing with personal challenges. My struggles were often labeled as “poor behavior” or a “lack of focus,” but the truth was that I had so much to process and didn’t know how to express it—or who to turn to. This realization became my “why” for becoming a School Counselor, as I knew that if I had felt this way, there were likely many students feeling the same, silently searching for an outlet.

After working as a School Counselor for nine years, supporting youth in foster care and shelter systems, I realized that while I loved my profession, it had begun to take a toll on my mental health, leading to burnout and stress. I needed to find a personal purpose—something that brought me joy and fulfillment outside of work. That’s when I discovered my love for travel and adventure. Traveling and exploring the world has been incredibly uplifting, helping me not only fall in love with the world but also reconnect with myself. In my profession, it’s easy to become so focused on helping and loving others that you forget to give yourself the same attention and care.

My love for travel inspired me to help others prioritize self-care through travel. That’s when I decided to become a travel agent and start my own travel business. Although my business supports everyone, I designed it specifically to support educators in need of a break to regroup and recharge. One of the advantages of working in education is having holidays and breaks, and as someone who has experienced burnout, I thought, “I want to help others who feel the same.”

Branching out on social media has been a great way to connect with educators from all over. It’s not just about sharing the similarities and differences between our districts and schools but about building genuine relationships that go beyond the label of just being “another follower.” I’ve developed meaningful friendships with these educators, who have been incredibly supportive of my ideas and passionate about engaging with my work.

My first group travel plan for educators is currently in the works. I’m organizing a Social Media Educator Travel Meet-Up in the Caribbean. It’s an exciting opportunity to not only grow my business but also to connect with my “educator besties” in real life through a travel experience.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

The road has had its ups and downs. There was a point in my school counseling journey when things became very dark, and I felt like I was being fake toward my students. This made me feel like I wasn’t being an effective counselor. The saying “leave your issues at the door” is a real thing in education because, day in and day out, we have to show up for our students. But as adults and educators, we deal with real challenges in life, and sometimes it’s hard to simply leave them outside. This was one of the main reasons I had to find my own self-care and passion outside of school counseling—I felt like I was drowning and stuck in a dark hole.

I don’t like feeling fake toward my students because, if you know me, you know that I treat my students with as much love and care as if they were my own. If it weren’t for them, I probably would have stayed in that dark space much longer. But because of them, I pushed myself to heal and grow faster than I might have otherwise. I felt a sense of responsibility to show up for them, and I’m so grateful it turned out this way.

The journey of building my travel business, on the other hand, has been relatively smooth, and I’m so thankful for that. I cannot wait to see it continue growing. I know it will require patience, but I’m happy that the process has been simple so far.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

I am a school counselor and travel business owner. As a school counselor, I provide guidance, support, and care to students, particularly those facing personal challenges. As a travel agent, I help educators and others prioritize self-care by organizing meaningful travel experiences that offer a much-needed escape and rejuvenation.

I specialize in emotional support and advocacy for students, particularly those navigating difficult circumstances such as foster care or shelter systems. In my travel business, I focus on helping educators combat burnout by creating personalized travel opportunities that allow them to recharge and focus on their well-being.

I am known for my genuine care and love for my students, treating them with the same dedication as if they were my own children. I am also recognized for building meaningful connections with fellow educators through social media, creating a supportive community that extends beyond professional relationships.

I am most proud of overcoming personal and professional struggles to rediscover my passion and purpose. The positive impact I’ve had on my students and my ability to transform my love for travel into a business that uplifts others are accomplishments that mean the world to me. Additionally, I take pride in how my commitment to my students inspired me to push through challenges and emerge stronger.

What sets me apart is my ability to turn personal challenges into sources of inspiration for both my counseling career and my travel business. My dual focus on supporting others—whether it’s students in need or educators experiencing burnout—is deeply rooted in my own experiences. I bring together empathy, advocacy, and entrepreneurship, reflecting my dedication to uplifting others while staying true to my own self-care journey.

How do you think about happiness?

It’s quite simple: seeing people happy and loved. As corny or cringy as it may sound, it’s truly what drives me. On a deeper level, I’d say it’s learning more about myself—delving into who I am to continue growing and building my mental health toolbox. This matters to me because the more I understand what helps me thrive, the happier I become. And when I’m happy, I can spread positivity, cheer, and joy to others, which in turn makes them happy. It’s a cycle of joy and connection that fuels my purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Thejennajourneys.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schoolcounselorjenna/?hl=en
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@schoolcounselorjenna