Why I Became an Educational Consultant
From Classroom to Coaching
If you’ve ever wondered what drives someone to become an educational consultant, you’re not alone. Parents, teachers, and administrators often ask me: “Why did you leave the classroom? What inspired you to become a consultant?”
The truth is, my path to educational consulting wasn’t a straight line. It was shaped by two decades of teaching experience, mentoring student teachers, supporting struggling readers, and, most importantly, a desire to create a lasting impact for both families and schools.
In this article, I’ll share my journey from classroom teacher to professor to educational consultant, explain what educational consultants actually do, and offer insight into why this field matters more than ever in today’s educational landscape.
The Early Days: Falling in Love with Teaching
My career began in the classroom, where I taught a range of grade levels and subjects. Like many teachers, I entered the profession because I believed in the transformative power of education.
Over the years, I worked with students of all abilities – those who soared academically and those who struggled with reading, writing, and math. I learned early on that no two students learn in the same way, and that flexibility, creativity, and compassion are at the heart of effective teaching.
- But while I loved teaching, I began to notice patterns:
- Families were overwhelmed by the education system.
- Teachers often lacked the necessary resources to fully support diverse learners.
- Students with unique needs sometimes slipped through the cracks.
- Prescriptive curriculum programs and standardized testing are not suitable for all learners and can detract from the love of learning in the classroom.
I knew I wanted to find a way to bridge those gaps—not just in one classroom, but on a larger scale.
From Teacher to Professor: Expanding My Impact
After years in K-12 education, I transitioned into higher education as a professor. In this role, I trained future and veteran teachers, helping them build strong instructional practices and prepare for real-world classrooms.
I taught courses on literacy instruction, educational leadership, and digital citizenship—areas I was passionate about and saw as critical for modern educators. Working with pre-service teachers reminded me of the immense hope and innovation that new educators bring to the profession.
However, I again noticed a gap: even the best-prepared teachers struggled within a system that was often rigid, underfunded, and slow to change. Parents, too, expressed frustration that they didn’t know how to advocate for their children.
This realization planted the seed for my next step – consulting.
Why Educational Consulting?
So, why did I become an educational consultant?
Because I wanted to:
- Empower parents to understand and advocate for their children’s educational needs.
- Support teachers with tools and strategies to meet the diverse needs of learners.
- Bridge the gap between home and school, ensuring that no child feels invisible.
- Offer tailored guidance outside the constraints of traditional systems.
Educational consulting allows me to combine my classroom expertise, professor-level training, and personal experience as a homeschooling parent into actionable strategies for families and schools.
What Does an Educational Consultant Do?
The role of an educational consultant varies, but here are some of the ways I work with families and educators:
- Parent Advocacy: Guiding parents through IEP meetings, understanding special education laws, and communicating effectively with schools.
- Homeschool Coaching: Supporting families as they set up curriculum, routines, and realistic goals for home-based education.
- Teacher Training: Providing professional development on reading strategies, digital literacy, and inclusive practices.
- Student Support: Offering one-on-one academic coaching, particularly in reading, writing, and executive functioning.
Unlike a classroom teacher restricted to one group of students, an educational consultant can partner with multiple families and schools – making a broader impact.
The Heart of My Work: Supporting Struggling Readers
One of my deepest passions is helping children who struggle with reading.
Too often, struggling readers are mislabeled as “lazy” or “unmotivated,” when in reality, they simply need targeted strategies based on the science of reading. As a reading specialist, I’ve seen firsthand how the proper intervention can change a child’s trajectory – not just academically, but emotionally.
Becoming an educational consultant gave me the freedom to work directly with families on this issue, offering personalized strategies that schools may not always have the resources to provide.
Why Parents and Teachers Need Educational Consultants
The educational landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years. Between pandemic disruptions, increased emphasis on testing, and the rise of homeschooling, families are navigating uncharted territory. Teachers are stretched thin, and parents often feel left without guidance. I know there may be those who argue against it (some teachers still in the trenches who feel that people outside the classroom should keep their opinions to themselves). I get it – it’s one more thing to do -, and I have heard it during my career – those frustrated by required professional development (which, honestly, I never understood the complaint against it). But working as a team may actually help many families and relieve strain on teachers.
Educational consultants provide that missing piece. We are:
- Guides who help parents make informed decisions.
- Advocates who ensure children’s needs are met.
- Strategists who provide actionable plans for learning at home and in schools.
In short, consultants give families and educators confidence in a system that often feels overwhelming.
My Personal “Why” in My Career
Looking back, the transition from teaching to consulting was not a departure – it was an evolution. While my professional journey shaped my expertise, my personal journey as a mom solidified my calling.
Like many parents, I’ve worn the hat of advocate, sometimes fiercely, as I’ve fought for my daughter’s needs. She has unique challenges, and school wasn’t always a safe or supportive place for her. We enrolled her in not one, not two, but four different schools – each time hoping that this would be the environment where she would thrive.
Instead, what we often found was misunderstanding, stigma, and systems that weren’t flexible enough to meet her where she was. Some schools had excellent teachers but lacked mental health resources. Others promised support but were unable to follow through consistently. Each transition was heartbreaking – watching my daughter lose confidence, and watching the spark in her learning dim. And, in the last transition, I realized that the school was not really teaching anything at all. Leaving gaps in her education and dent in my checkbook.
Through this journey, I realized just how overwhelmed and powerless parents can feel when their child doesn’t fit the traditional mold. It’s easy to doubt yourself, to wonder if you’re doing enough, or to accept less than your child deserves because you don’t want to be labeled “that parent.” And, trust me, I’ve earned that title with pride. Now, I have a child who is flourishing and excelling above grade level in all subjects, participating in numerous extracurricular activities with a positive outlook on life.
Eventually, we turned to virtual schooling – not because it was the easy path, but because it gave us space to reset, protect her mental health, and rebuild her love for learning. For the first time, we could adapt her education to her needs instead of forcing her into a one-size-fits-all model. And, as an added benefit, it has also allowed her younger brother to flourish right alongside her because the previous school wasn’t working for him either.
This experience taught me two things:
- Advocacy is non-negotiable. Parents have to be their child’s voice, even when it’s uncomfortable or exhausting.
- Education must be flexible. Not every child will thrive in a brick-and-mortar classroom. And that’s okay.
Unpopular Opinions
These two things may be unpopular opinions, but they have become the heartbeat of my consulting work. When I support parents, I’m not speaking from theory alone – I am speaking from lived experience. And, as the childless Millennial I was when I started teaching, I would have thought the current version of me was nuts and that I “knew better” because I was the “professional.” I’m telling you right now, having kids of my own completely shifted my narrative. I know the anxiety of sitting across from the principal, both as an educator and a parent, the exhaustion of trying another new school, and the relief of finally finding a path that works.
That’s my “why.” Educational consulting is the perfect balance of my passions: teaching, advocacy, and leadership. It allows me to say to families and educators, “You don’t have to do this alone. I’m here to walk alongside you.”
Final Thoughts: A Calling, Not Just a Career
Becoming an educational consultant wasn’t simply about leaving the classroom; it was about expanding my reach. It’s about ensuring that every child, regardless of their background or ability, has the opportunity to succeed.
If you’re a parent, teacher, or administrator feeling overwhelmed, know this: educational consultants are here to support you. We are partners, problem solvers, and advocates for both students and their families.
And for me personally, it’s more than a career – it’s a calling.
Curious?
Are you curious about how an educational consultant can support your family or school? Subscribe to my blog for weekly strategies, resources, and stories from the field of education. Scroll down midway on the page and enter your name and email address. And don’t miss updates about my upcoming book, which dives deeper into these topics and provides hands-on tools you can use right away, whether you are a homeschooling parent or not.