We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Vanessa Russell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Vanessa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with a hypothetical question – if it were up to you, what would you change about the school or education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career?
I am currently in my 6th year of teaching and 12th year of being in the educational system. I have seen so many changes, not all for the best, with the education of our students- our future. The educational system has gone from kinda-sorta caring to an “every man for himself, just produce the results we need” type of model. I believe educational leaders are so detached from the true needs of students beyond test results; acknowledging that children are exactly that and have real emotions and needs has become a thing of the past. The love has been removed from education and I truly believe it’s become “just a job”.
The shortage of teachers for the last 3+ years is a sure sign of the demise of the educational system as we know it.
Vanessa, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am Vanessa, a partner, mother, teacher, nature lover, and creative. I unofficially started my professional writing services in my 10th grade year of high school. While I was in 10th grade, I was writing papers for a man pursuing his Masters of Business, I fell in love with reading and writing early in life. I remember turning my 8th grade geography project into a whole novel.
Education is something that is strongly in my bloodline. I am the daughter, granddaughter, niece, etc. of educators. I started tutoring in 9th grade and haven’t stopped since.
Throughout my life, I have fallen in love with the organization and through YouTube, fell in love with planners. I’ve always loved getting new school supplies and new stationery items, so starting a stationery company (Glow and Grow Paper, Co.) was a no-brainer for me.
For parents, I love to solve the defeat that they feel looking at their child’s report card. Not every child learns the same way, so it is comforting and rewarding for me to give them hope. What sets me apart in education is that I can look at each child as an individual, identify their needs, and give them a one-on-one learning experience.
With stationery, I provide organization and peace of mind. So many, including myself, feel overwhelmed with life, but I am able to sit down and create a plan for people to be able to get things done!
What I am most proud of is the happiness that I bring people by being a service to them. Whether it’s tutoring, writing, or stationery/organizational tools, the smile on their face when they interact with me means the world to me!
How did you build your audience on social media?
One thing that my life partner has always told me is “People always want to feel a part of something”, and that’s the approach that I take with social media. Sharing my life and my family (just enough) has allowed people to feel connected with me. Interacting with them and allowing them into my life and my mind has really helped with building a customer base. I don’t promote my tutoring business much, I am thriving off of referrals!
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
When you are managing a team and keeping morale high, I think it’s important to communicate, listen, acknowledge others feelings, and be open to ideas and change. When you aren’t able to open your heart and mind to others ideas and needs, it can make someone feel underappreciated and closed in.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vdoesitall
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vdoesitall