Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Stewart
Hi Amber, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Without a doubt the Lord has always had His hand on me and has made very clear the interesting ways in which He would use me. It all goes back to little Amber who would spend hours and hours in the hallway playing school on a large, green chalkboard from a church garage sale. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. I’ve had a strong desire to share what I know with others and to help them grow. Although this was clearly part of who I was made to be, I was often discouraged away from becoming a teacher because it was such a thankless job and because there were so many other things I could do. So if I wasn’t going to be a teacher, I thought, hmmm… I like to write and talk, so I became a broadcast journalist instead. I started studying broadcast in high school and fell in love with the ability to research, uncover, write and tell stories. That led me to my number one choice school- Northwestern University to study Broadcast Journalism at the Medill School of Journalism. Those four years at Northwestern were true gifts to me and challenged me in ways I had never been challenged both academically and spiritually. It is the place where the Lord began to reaffirm His call for my life and in such beautiful ways. While on journalism residency in Albuquerque, NM, I felt the tug on my heart again to become an educator after being referred to apply for Teach for America. The long and short of it, is that I turned down a cool, start-up journalism opportunity to accept my place in the 2008 Metro Atlanta Teach for America corps- much to the surprise of those who knew me- but not really to myself. Day one in my classroom as a first grade teacher in Fulton County, GA, I knew that even if for just this moment in time, I was meant, made and created to be a teacher. My heart was so fulfilled and I’ve never regretted a single moment as an educator. Over the years I would go on to teach 1st grade and 5th-8th grade students a variety of subjects including world history, gifted education and reading. I found such great joy and fulfillment during my time at KIPP STRIVE and KIPP Vision Academies, that it was truly bittersweet when I decided to transition away from the classroom to work for an education nonprofit. My time in the nonprofit space was also a gift, as I was able to visit classrooms all across Metro Atlanta as the eventual Executive Director of the Atlanta Families’ Awards for Excellence in Education- now known as the Teach on Project. From there, I continued to serve education by joining the Partnerships Officer of the central office of the Atlanta Public Schools district. To this day, that Partnerships Manager job is one of my absolute favorite. While serving the Metro Atlanta community, I came upon a time when I felt it necessary to serve my church community, and transitioned from education in schools, to supporting the educational needs of my church. As an assistant to the Discipleship Ministry, I was able to use that desire to support, teach, and lead others in a very new way for me. I gained so many incredible lessons about service, gratitude and perseverance through my time in ministry to my church. It also was during this time that I was able to serve and support schools and corporations with inspiring and supporting their folks through consulting work. This provided an opportunity for me to tap into my gifts in many ways and came at such an important time in our world during social unrest and COVID. I found myself pouring myself out into work that meant so much to me and I am so thankful to have had a chance to serve in this way. From here, a connection I made when working at the Partnerships Office, circled back to me in the form of founder Mary Frances Bowley who started Wellspring Living 2 decades before. As we reconnected, I shared my desire to support the mission of transforming the lives of those at risk or victimized by sexual exploitation by becoming an Ambassador Council member. I began to feel so very tied to the work of this organization and the heart for those who are served there, that I offered pro bono consulting services to Mary Frances and her team. As the Lord would have it, just a few short days later, I would be employed there serving as their very first Director of Culture and Talent. If you would have told me when I started out as an educator, that I would currently serve as an “organizational educator” serving and supporting staff members through training, learning and development, and culture building work- I may not have believed you. But to know what I know now, I’d see how beautifully each opportunity I have had has led me to this very point in time. I feel deeply blessed and extremely humbled to have been led to my current role as Chief Culture and Strategy Officer for Wellspring Living, and I embrace each day as an opportunity to do exactly what I am meant to do. Serve. Educate. Cultivate!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There were many struggles along the way. The first of which was leaving the traditional classroom setting. When my son was born, there was a time when my husband (also an educator and at the same school for a time!) and I were spending only about 3 hours a day of waking time with him, due to the demands of our teaching schedule. I loved teaching, and I loved my students and have still managed to stay in touch with many. Yet, I felt challenged by spending more time with the children of others, than my own. Making the decision to leave was heartwrenching, but I’ve never regretted it. The days spent at home with my son working a part-time role are among my most treasured memories.
I also used to struggle with not having “traditional” plans for my future. I’m sure many, if not all of us, have been asked about our five-year plans. I’ve never had a true, honest answer for that question, because I’ve always relied on my faith in the Lord to take me where I need to go, even if it’s out of the box. To have a broadcast journalism degree that I’ve not formally used, an educator certificate that I keep current but haven’t used in awhile, and to be in the role I’m in now– I couldn’t have painted or predicted this picture. Yet, I’ve learned to trust that the turns and curves in the road, lead to some of the most beautiful places imaginable. Doesn’t always make things easy and every transition hasn’t been the smoothest in the moment, but they’ve all turned out wonderfully in the end.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I work for Wellspring Living a nonprofit whose mission is to walk alongside survivors and those at risk as they transform their lives. I serve as the Chief Culture and Strategy Officer and so I have the pleasure of serving and supporting our staff as they serve and support our participants. My role is unique because it’s focused on our people strategy in a very meaningful and intentional way. I am able to spend time listening to staff and developing strategy to ensure they are engaged, satisfied and meeting the objectives of our work. It’s a pleasure and a gift to get to work alongside some of the most dedicated individuals I’ve met. Additionally, I am proud to leverage my strengths as an educator and speaker and problem solver, to dive into situations and create and cultivate something out of nothing. I enjoy seeing an opportunity to grow or improve and going all in until the problem is solved and people are happy. I consider myself a servant, educator and culture cultivator and I think those words truly capture the heart of what I do and how I see my work.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
My faith in Christ is hands down the most important part of my success. I would not be the person I am today, nor be uniquely wired the way I am, without Him! He has helped me through trying times, He has helped me see who I am and how He made me, and He has equipped me to stand in spaces and places to accomplish what He has set my hands to do. I feel that where I am today is a direct result of the paths He has taken me on, and that each part of the journey was essential to be successful where I am right now in this moment.
Image Credits
MadeinIndya Photography for the two professional images
