How to Enhance Teaching Through Wellness with Keilah Smith

In this interview, we’re excited to speak with Keilah Smith, the innovative founder of The Educator Wellness Journey. With a profound background in education, Keilah has transitioned her experiences into a wellness coaching practice dedicated to educators.

We’ll delve into her motivations for starting this unique venture, explore the specialized services she offers, and discuss the impact her coaching has had on educators’ lives. Keilah’s insights promise to be invaluable, not just for educators, but for anyone interested in the intersection of wellness and professional fulfillment​.

The Inspiration Behind the Business

SBS – What inspired you to start a wellness coaching business specifically for educators?

Keilah – The inspiration behind starting my wellness coaching business, The Educator Wellness Journey, stems from a profound personal journey accumulated over 15+ years in education as a former campus administrator and classroom teacher. During those years, I found myself confronted with a multitude of workplace stressors that, unknown to me at the time, were taking a toll on my mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health and well-being.

After making the decision to step away from the campus, I embarked on a transformative journey of mental health and well-being. It was during this period that I received invaluable support, guidance, and tools that played a pivotal role in my own transformation. As I reflected on my journey, I couldn’t help but ponder, “What if I had access to this support while still teaching and leading? Would I have felt better, found greater enjoyment in my work, seen improvements in my relationships, or not been so exhausted?”

This realization that such coaching support and tools could have a profound impact on the overall wellness, mental health, and satisfaction of educators fueled my commitment to creating a dedicated coaching space for them. Thus, my wellness coaching business, The Educator Wellness Journey, was born. Its mission is to provide personalized wellness coaching for educators and school leaders in a safe and supportive environment where they can navigate the complexities of their own well-being and workplace satisfaction. My inspiration and dedication to The Educator Wellness Journey is a testament to my commitment to supporting fellow educators in prioritizing their own well-being. It’s also a beacon of support, empowerment, and transformation for educators who seek a healthier and more fulfilling professional and personal life.

Addressing Educators’ Wellness Needs

SBS – How did you identify the specific wellness needs of educators that your business

addresses?

Keilah – My approach to identifying the specific wellness needs of educators is deeply rooted in an authentic understanding gained through lived and professional experience. As an educator myself, I’ve traversed the same path that many of my clients are on, allowing me to intimately comprehend the various layers embedded in their day-to-day experiences.

Being an integral part of the educator community has provided a unique vantage point to recognize the distinct wellness needs and support required. The shared journey within this community has allowed me to pinpoint specific challenges that often become dead ends in personal wellness — burnout, compassion and initiative fatigue, trauma, insomnia, and lack of energy.

Many educators, including myself, tend to overgive for an extended period, losing touch with our own health and selves in the process. By drawing from this shared experience, I’ve been able to identify both the challenges and effective solutions that enable educators to not just survive but truly thrive in both their professional and personal lives.

Tailored Services

SBS – What is your business model, and how have you tailored your services for educators?

Keilah – My business model is designed to cater to the diverse needs of educators, school leaders, and educational organizations through a dynamic approach that encompasses both B2B and B2C interactions.

On the B2B front, I understand the unique challenges faced by educational institutions and organizations — collaborating closely with leaders to offer customized wellness solutions that align with the specific requirements and goals of their organization.

Simultaneously, our B2C model is crafted to address the individual needs of educators through personalized coaching.

Coaching Sessions and Programs

SBS – How do you structure your coaching sessions, and what programs or services do you offer?

Keilah – The core framework of my coaching sessions revolves around creating a safe and supportive space where individuals can find relief from feelings of anxiety and restlessness. The emphasis is on instilling a sense of grounding and connection, and this is achieved through a somatic lens. The sessions focus on developing mind-body awareness, regulation, and the capacity to bring compassion and consciousness to one’s actions and experiences. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by those in education, the structure of the sessions offers a dedicated space for self-reflection and growth.

Additionally, I provide leadership and professional development training, along with online workshops, that are thoughtfully designed to implement new learning and skills pertaining to educator wellness and well-being. These programs are crafted to empower individuals with practical tools and strategies that can be integrated into their personal and professional lives.

Impact Measurement

SBS – How do you measure the impact of your wellness coaching on educators’ personal and professional lives?

Keilah – In essence, the true measure of the impact of my wellness coaching lies in the authentic and positive shifts that individuals experience as they progress on their journey of cultivating awareness. It’s not just about ticking off wellness goals but building a holistic and sustainable transformation that permeates every aspect of their being in education and life. 

When educators and leaders embark on this journey, a profound shift occurs as they become more attuned to themselves and their bodies — gaining insights into their identity and purpose, navigating their inner world, and building resilience. This heightened self-awareness is a catalyst for change both in their professional role and in the broader context of their lives.

When clients experience this shift, watching this unfold is truly a beautiful and rewarding aspect of my work. In these moments of awareness, we both see the seeds of change and transformation taking root — which is the impact! They become more connected with themselves, and their renewed sense of purpose emanates into various facets of their lives, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond the initial focus on wellness. For me, it is the ultimate impact of contributing to a healthier, more aware, and resilient community of educators.

Client Acquisition Strategies

SBS – What strategies do you use for reaching and attracting educators to your programs?

Keilah – Our approach to reaching and attracting educators to our coaching programs has been

multifaceted, with a strong emphasis on building meaningful connections. A strategy that has yielded significant results is our focus on outreach through educational partnerships. We forged collaborations with schools, universities, and educational institutions to extend our reach and establish a foundation of trust within the education sector.

Referrals and word of mouth have proven to be powerful tools for expanding our network. Satisfied educators who have benefited from coaching sessions and programs naturally become advocates as they share their positive experiences with colleagues and peers.

To further enhance our reach and ensure a steady influx of interested educators, we are diligently working on developing a solid pipeline of prospective new partners — educational organizations, professional associations, and other entities within the education sector. By building these connections, we aim to create a sustainable stream of opportunities for educators to discover and engage with our coaching and wellness services.

Staying Updated With the Trends

SBS – How do you stay updated with changes in the education sector and adapt your coaching methods?

Keilah – My continuous involvement in extended networks within education and wellness organizations allows me to stay connected with the latest trends and developments. I make it a habit to stay current with reputable educational sources and keep updated with current research in mental health, wellness, and education. This also ensures that my coaching methods are informed by the latest insights.

Attending conferences has also been an invaluable resource as well. These events provide a platform for networking with professionals, exchanging ideas, and gaining first-hand exposure to innovative practices in the education and wellness sector.

Overcoming Business Challenges

SBS – What have been your biggest challenges in starting and running your business?

Keilah – Starting and running a business focused on educator wellness has indeed presented its share of challenges, with one of the most significant hurdles being the need to articulate the concept and importance of educator wellness. The language surrounding educator wellness is still in its formative stages, so it’s a novel and unfamiliar idea for many, including educators themselves. Despite educators being the unsung superheroes in our communities, the discourse around their own well-being has been overshadowed by the emphasis on student achievement and wellness for so long.

A fundamental aspect of this challenge lies in raising awareness about the crucial role educator wellness plays in mental health, social-emotional well-being, and overall workplace performance. Shifting the narrative from the traditional focus on students to acknowledging the needs of educators has been an uphill battle. It involves promoting the idea and importance of educators requiring care and breaking the longstanding perception that they are invincible and don’t need support.

Moreover, the constraint of time has proven to be another substantial challenge. Teachers operate within a demanding schedule, both during and after school hours. Coordinating coaching sessions that align with their availability, especially when they are in dire need of support, is a complex task. The majority of sessions end up being scheduled during the evenings and weekends.

An ideal scenario would involve school entities recognizing the importance of educator wellness and allocating dedicated time during the school day for coaching sessions. This would make it more accessible for teachers and emphasize the institutional commitment to their well-being. Despite these challenges, the journey to promote and prioritize educator wellness is a crucial one, as it also contributes to the overall health of our educational institutions.

Many Success Stories

SBS – Could you share a success story from your coaching that you find particularly rewarding?

Keilah – The reward is all the client testimonials that they continue to share! It’s a testament to

the collaborative journey we embark on, and I’m always honored and rewarded by their testimonials. One client shared with me, “I didn’t know how much I needed this,” and another shared, “I don’t know where I would have been without wellness coaching.” An educator even revealed, “I would’ve stayed overwhelmed and had a negative school year most likely and possibly quit the profession.”

One client acknowledged, “If I had not chosen your support or guidance, I would have been going through life on autopilot.” And the kind words about my coaching style being “warm, responsive, and reflective” motivate me to continue creating a space of trust and growth. It’s an honor to have a part in their transformative life experiences!

The Role of Technology in Coaching

SBS – What role does technology play in your coaching, and are there any tools you recommend?

Keilah – Technology has been crucial in enhancing the reach and impact of my coaching services. Through the use of various digital tools, I have been able to connect and support educators not only locally but also on an international scale. This expanded reach is particularly significant, as it allows me to offer coaching services to individuals who may not have had direct access to such support otherwise.

It’s also helped with accessibility to online wellness modules for stress management, work-life balance, and well-being specifically tailored for educators. The convenience of accessing these resources remotely empowers educators to prioritize their mental and physical health, ultimately contributing to a more positive and resilient teaching community. I also highly recommend utilizing a telehealth platform for virtual sessions, workshops, communication management tools, and task management.

Balancing Your Well-Being and Business

SBS – How do you maintain your own well-being and prevent burnout while coaching others?

Keilah – Maintaining my well-being has been paramount to ensuring that I can effectively be

present to support and coach others. I start each day with meditation, prayer, and journaling to center and ground myself. This practice not only helps me start the day with a clear and focused mind but also provides a sense of inner peace that carries throughout my interactions with clients.

On a weekly basis, I make it a point to spend time in nature and engage in physical activities to support my overall physical well-being. Whether it’s a hike, a walk outside, or a fitness class, these activities contribute to my vitality and help prevent burnout. Movement has been a powerful tool for maintaining a healthy balance between the demands of coaching and my personal well-being. I also schedule quarterly trips, whether domestic or abroad, to help renew and balance my energy.

Another major addition to my well-being maintenance has been receiving ongoing growth and support in my own journey. To that end, I have a coach myself! Through their coaching, I’m receiving the necessary support and insights to continue my own development. As I work to support educators, it’s crucial that I am actively engaged in my own wellness journey.

Advice for Wellness Coaches

SBS – What advice would you give to someone looking to start a business in wellness coaching?

Keilah – Starting a wellness coaching business is exciting and requires authenticity, community

understanding, and a defined approach. My biggest advice is that understanding your community is foundational. What makes them unique? What challenges do they face?

Tailor your coaching approach to resonate with the specific needs of your community.

Building a genuine connection promotes trust and loyalty. Equally, it’s important to clearly articulate your personal “why” and vision as a wellness coach. Understanding your purpose and what you hope to achieve provides a strong foundation for your business. It motivates you while resonating with clients who share similar values. As a business owner, it’s important to recognize that the personal work you do on yourself influences your professional practice, too. Strive for balance, resilience, and mindfulness. Lead by example, demonstrating the principles of wellness in your own life!

Future Outlook and Expansion

SBS – Where do you see your business in the next five years, and are there plans for expansion or new services?

Keilah – In the next five years, I envision The Educator Wellness Journey flourishing as a hub for wellness coaching, professional development, and online courses tailored for educators and school leaders for wellness and wellness resources. The key focus will be on expanding our reach through strategic partnerships with educational organizations and wellness entities. As we grow, building a dedicated team is integral to sustaining our mission of supporting the health and well-being of educators.

Additionally, our outreach efforts will extend globally through speaking engagements and hosting events and conferences, both domestically and abroad. Community events and educator retreats will also play a crucial role in cultivating a holistic approach to personal and professional development. The goal, of course, is the expansion but also creating a meaningful impact in the lives of educators worldwide.