We recently connected with Sheila Thomas and have shared our conversation below.
Sheila, appreciate you joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?
Teaching and training have always been my passion. For several years, I served as a trainer for daycare providers in Georgia. Sharing tips and strategies for teachers and staff with tools to support student learning was such an enjoyable experience. Still, during most of my training sessions and my years as a classroom teacher, the same message resonated from teachers: “We need parent support. The parents need to work with their children at home.” I finally had an aha moment, realizing that as educators, we can’t expect the parents to know and do what we do because they haven’t received our knowledge and training. It was then that idea of creating a parent curriculum to educate, equip, and empower parents with the knowledge they need to effectively advocate for their children and build a solid educational foundation at home came to fruition.
One of my educational goals was to become a Curriculum Director because I have always been intrigued with finding research-based strategies to help children succeed in schools. I completed a degree in Curriculum, Instruction, Management, Administration, and Educational Leadership, hoping to fulfill my dreams and do the work I loved. The position didn’t happen that way; I never became a Curriculum Director in a school setting, but I used the knowledge gained from obtaining the degrees and being lead teachers, mentors, and department chairs to guide me with writing my curriculum for parents. The process of writing a curriculum was a fun but arduous task. First, I completed research to see what others have done in the field of parent training so I could find my niche. While creating a curriculum, I also became an author of a book for children, J.R.’s Biggest Fan, a book I wrote about my sons and how I always supported them as a mom. I wrote J.R.’s Biggest Fan to impact parents, specifically parents of black and brown boys, to be their child’s biggest fan. I then decided to write a curriculum for all parents and include a course just for parents of black and brown boys. This course would help to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline by giving parents what they need to assist their sons to be successful and thriving students.
Launching my parent curriculum took lots of patience and prayer. Initially, I gave myself a timeline for completion. Unfortunately, I surpassed my set timelines many times due to needing more financial resources and more time to package all the pieces together for a comprehensive product. I solicited help from several coaches who were very helpful with marketing and creativity. I worked diligently for three years editing and revising content to ensure that my courses provided relevant information for parents to assist with their parenting journey. Launching my curriculum has positively impacted my family, friends, and community.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a wife, mother, educator, author, and parent advocate. My purpose in life has always been to help and educate others, whether young children or adults. I created my business, Thomas Educational Consulting and Training, because of my work as an educator and trainer for daycare providers. As an educator, I always heard teachers and administrators complaining about the lack of parent support in schools. I knew that many parents wanted to help their children. However, most needed more tools and resources to create a solid educational foundation at home and build a positive relationship with their child’s teacher. While training teachers, I had an “AHA” moment, realizing that parents should also receive training on what is happening in the school and how to help their children at home. That is when I decided to write a parent curriculum and create books and materials for parents and their children.
My business includes workshops, training, books, and educational resources for parents to help with their parenting journey. These products and services were developed to help parents understand how to effectively advocate for their children and create a home environment where they better understand their child’s well-being and needs and utilize this information to partner with the teachers to ensure their child is successful in school.
My niche in supporting parents of black and brown boys is what sets me apart from other parent trainers. Research shows that black and brown boys are the most depreciated groups of children in school. For example, black boys are usually more likely to be suspended from school than their white counterparts for what is usually age-appropriate behavior but are determined as misbehaviors by them. In addition, they are typically placed in lower academic classrooms and courses where the teachers do not set high expectations.
As a mom of three sons, I faced many struggles with the school system with unfair treatment of my sons. However, I could effectively advocate for them because of my knowledge as an educator. Therefore, I must use my knowledge as a parent and educator to help inform other parents of black and brown boys of the things they need to do to support their sons and ensure they receive equitable treatment in schools. My course informs and equips parents of black and brown boys with tools and resources to understand their role as a parent and better understand their son’s learning styles and love languages. When the parent gains this knowledge and skills, they can better communicate with the teacher about their son’s abilities and how they can work together to support his learning.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
A lesson I have had to learn is to stop overthinking the projects I have to complete, especially using social media. Managing social media marketing can be time-consuming and require consistent effort. The need to stay active and engaged with my audience regularly became overwhelming. I thought I lacked the expertise and skills to develop compelling social posts, thinking my content had to be perfect.
My imposter syndrome also caused me to worry that every word I wrote or spoke had to be on point. Eventually, after many trials, starts and stops, and reviewing what others shared on their social media platforms, I realized that I was genuinely overthinking it and causing anxiety to take over. It was time to let go of my inner perfectionist and share the knowledge I knew would greatly benefit my audience.
Although I still do not enjoy it, posting to social media has become much more manageable. I no longer spend hours recording videos repeatedly, worrying if each strand of hair is in place and all my words are perfect. Instead, what matters most is that the content is worthwhile and will be of value to my audience.
Have you ever had to pivot?
This is an excerpt from my book, W.A.I.T.: Women Anticipating an Incredible Turnaround that tells the story of how I had to pivot in my career.
Do you feel like you have a God-given assignment, but you have been waiting forever to fulfill it? Has your season of waiting been filled with self-doubt and depression? I ask these questions because, for years, I thought I knew my plan and purpose, and the assignment that I was to complete. Boy, was I wrong! I mapped out my road to success, but there were so many detours along the way. My goals were to obtain a master’s degree, and specifically a Specialist’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. My plan was to work my way up the career ladder to become a Curriculum Director in the school system.
My waiting room for success became filled with self-doubt and depression. I started wondering if I was good enough. I debated if my training and degrees served any purpose at all. After all the schooling to obtain those degrees, all that I was left with was a huge student loan debt. I was not even working in a position that paid enough to pay the debt back comfortably. I became complacent and accepted teaching positions with leadership opportunities, but never the final position I desired.
But deep inside, there was always that nudge, a constant reminder that God had a purpose and plan for my life and that I would be successful. I needed to spend more time with God in prayer and meditation on scriptures, asking Him to reveal His plans to me. My idea of prospering was to have an office within the superintendent’s department with my name, Dr. Sheila R. Thomas, on the door. I thought my purpose was to assure that the curriculum for reading in the public elementary schools in the county was being implemented to its maximum potential. My passion for reading and phonics instruction was great, and I wanted to be sure every teacher was prepared to reach and teach every child. This seemed to be a great plan, and I had worked hard and received the knowledge I thought was needed to make this happen. But, almost 15 years later, it still had not happened. So, my question was, “What’s next?” I prayed and talked to God, family and friends to help me find the answer.
Because the wait was long, and I was not getting the answers I wanted, I took matters into my own hands. I decided to leave teaching in the local public school system and began a job as an Instructor with Albany Technical College. I was happy in my new position, teaching as well as serving as the assistant director for the daycare at Albany Tech for many years, but the work hours were a heavy burden for my family.
My husband was also working long hours and pastoring a church at the time. We had a baby who also needed my attention at home. Therefore, I decided to take a job at Darton State College for more flexibility. My duties as a Professor and Chairperson for the Early Childhood Department were a relief. Two years later, I was offered the position of Director of Continuing Education. I was satisfied because now, I did not spend most of the day and late evenings at work and was able to be the wife and mother my family needed. Although I genuinely enjoyed both positions, I had abandoned my plan to become a Curriculum Director thinking this was my new career path. During this time, I was not genuinely believing and waiting on God’s promise, but instead, I was making decisions based on what I thought was best because things were not happening as quickly as I wanted.
Unexpectedly, after eight years, I had to return to the public school system due to financial issues that were taking place at Darton College. I never planned to return to the local public school as a classroom teacher, but I needed a job. My return as a 4th-grade teacher was not a smooth transition for me. I was an expert when it came to teaching future educators on the philosophy and theory of teaching. However, my instruction did not include many of the new practices (i.e., technology), that was being implemented. It was hard to believe all the changes that had happened in eight years. Students’ misbehaviors had become a significant issue in schools. I almost felt like a brand-new teacher and was treated that way. I was required to attend new teacher orientation even though I had over 17 years of teaching experience.
Since I was considered a new teacher, I was not able to apply for the positions that I desired. I felt like I was stuck in the classroom. It was a learning curve for me, plus my heart was not truly there. I loved the children and wanted the best for them. I gave them my best, but at the end of the day, I was not happy. My absence in the school system caused me to lose some of the relationships I once had. There were lots of new people in positions of power. To obtain a higher position, I honestly didn’t know the right people. I was heartbroken and felt defeated. I blamed myself for choosing to leave the public school system.
I spent most days just going through the motions of getting up, going to work, coming home and doing it all over again the next day. There was no joy or peace in my heart. I came to a place where I would wail to God to deliver me from this feeling of defeat. This emotional state was taking a toll on my body and my family. I was miserable, and it was seeping into my relationship with my husband and son. I was always tired, bitter, angry, snappy and moody at home. I knew I had to find some peace. I continued to pray for it daily.
I started repeating the verse in Romans 8:28 (K.J.V.), which says, “And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.” I started to believe that the position I was in was purposeful. I realized that I was not only touching the lives of many children but was asked to serve as a mentor to other teachers everywhere I taught. In these positions, I had the opportunity to impart knowledge about the curriculum, share ways to eliminate student behaviors, as well as ways to help new teachers to stay motivated.
I was not a Curriculum Director, but I was certainly making a positive impact on the curriculum within my control. For years, I traveled across the state providing research-based trainings to daycare providers. I had also served as an Intervention Specialist, lead teacher, and member of the leadership team at my various schools. These roles were opportunities to make decisions alongside administrators that affected instruction and student growth. On the college level, I was chairperson and student advisor, and in these positions, I was the one to make any changes needed in the curriculum for students. As the assistant director for the daycare, I was the one who reviewed teachers’ lesson plans and implemented programs for the parents. Finally, as Director of Continuing Education, I created a catalog of courses for the community. These roles and activities definitely impacted the curriculum in many ways.
Once I realized that God was using me and was also allowing me to complete other goals, such as becoming an author and educational consultant and being able to have time at home to nurture my family, I came to a sense of peace. Instead of wallowing in what I thought was a failure, I decided to use this as a learning experience. I gained renewed strength that I could do the job, and as Paul states in Philippians 4:12-13 (N.I.V.), I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.
Winning or losing is influenced by the way we live and think. We have the power to determine how our story will unfold. God has given us a divine connection through prayer that will help to create our future. We must lean into God for understanding and ask Him to reveal His plans for our life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.drsheilathomas.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thomasedconsulting
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thomasedconsulting
- Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasedconsulting
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thomasedconsult
- Youtube: @thomasedconsulting4390
Image Credits
Valdosta Daily Times