I don’t like writing about myself. But I like sharing my purpose, which is helping kids better understand themselves so they can reach their goals, and feel good about it. This motivating force has helped me contribute to trusted organizations, innovative programs and successful projects in the wellness, education, and digital media spaces. Like many, that motivation is rooted in my journey. Mine starts with being abandoned by a teen mother, and growing up in foster care. It was a childhood filled with hard lessons and lots of questions, the most important was trying to make sense of my experience. With the help of remarkable teachers and compassionate mentors, I channeled that curiosity into a college degree, and later a career as a journalist, feature writer, and digital storyteller. I had fun and learned a lot, but after having my daughter, my focus shifted to dealing with the negative aspects of the corporate grind — stress, anxiety, and frustration. I incorporated self care and wellness into my life, practicing mindfulness daily, and going on meditation retreats. That allowed me to pivot and start a career in education, where I worked for Sarasota County Schools for several years. Then The Pandemic hit. And everything changed. I thought about my students, and what they were going through. The anxiety. The stress. The questions. Then it hit me: I can help them answer those questions, by giving them tools to deal with negative emotions, and better understand themselves. So now, I’m enjoying my latest and most fulfilling career chapter — Teaching Artist and YouTube Creator. And that has opened a wealth of opportunities, within my community and beyond. Currently, I work with a range of nonprofit organizations, local businesses, and community groups, from large NPOs to mom-and-pop-sized nonprofits, to bring unique educational experiences and resources to Historically-Excluded Students and Communities. It’s part of my purpose — to help kids helps themselves. If you share the same purpose, let’s collaborate!You can reach me here: Stevey@MrSteveyStudios.com