Jessica Nabors Email & Phone Number

Field of EducationIn 2019, I got my first teaching position as the lead teacher of an inclusive Pre-K classroom. I learned quickly that while it's crucial to have a plan, you have to stay flexible and be willing to change things that aren't working. That my be a large change in your schedule/routines, or a small change in the moment when you realize you don't have anyone's attention. And flexibility was really the name of the game when COVID hit--it was my first year teaching and we went completely remote after Spring Break. Thankfully, things were back to normal by the time I ended my stint there, with the 2022-2023 school year being my last. From those four years, flexibility and relationships are the two things I found to be most important. I mean relationships with EVERYONE, too. It truly takes a village in the field of tiny humans, and I had a strong one. I found that even when difficult situations arose, we (my two assistants and I) were typically able to handle them with grace because of the emphasis we had on rapport with our students, families, therapists, administration, SROs, janitorial staff, cafeteria workers, and anyone else we interacted with. I also wanted a classroom environment where my assistants felt they had input, as well. Although I was "lead," I considered them my peers and we always handled decisions as a team and I would always hear their input. That contributed to a climate of respect in our room that made our jobs safe and fun.Field of Customer ServiceI started bartending during grad school, when I realized my monthly stipend from my graduate assistant position wouldn't cover all the bills. I kept weekend shifts all through my time teaching, as well, because we all know the sad truth that teachers aren't paid enough. And I know it seems wildly opposite to be teaching Preschool and bartending at the same time, but there really is a crossover of skills required. Managing the chaos of eighteen 3-5 year-olds just about matches the chaos of a room full of intoxicated adults. In fact, it may be worse. The skill I honed the most at this job is being able to remain calm in hectic or stressful situations, not to mention all the times I had to clean up bodily fluids. See what I mean about transferrable skills? In summary, both of these jobs have made me well-equipped to build strong relationships with people, stay prepared but flexible, and remain calm in stressful situations. I believe these are necessary skills for any job, and I can learn anything else I would need specific to a certain position. Thanks for reading!