Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Replogle.
Rachel, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My interest in special education started at a young age. I attended a summer camp where a portion of that camp was reserved for children and adults with exceptionalities. I was always drawn to the campers there, and by the time I was eighteen, I knew I wanted my career to involve working with people with special needs. I started off at Georgia State University in 2014 as a psychology major, thinking I wanted to work as a therapist. While I was highly interested in the subject I studied, I never felt truly connected. In the latter part of 2015, I experienced a trying time in life where I had to take a break from school and return to my hometown in Conyers, Georgia. I did not know how I was going to occupy my time, but I knew taking a break was the right thing to do. Within a week of returning, I began to look for jobs. The only job experience I held was working with children through babysitting and working as a camp counselor. I called my old school, a private school for ages Pre-K through 12th grade, asking if they had any open positions. They told me they were in need of an afterschool teacher. I took them up on the offer that day. The same week, I posted on Facebook I was searching for a job. A previous youth pastor who had started his own church commented, telling me they needed a children’s minister. I took that job as well. Within seven days of returning, I had two jobs both involving children and education. I never expected it, but during this tough period of my life, these two part-time jobs brought me the most healing I could ask for. I discovered working with children brought me the most happiness and fulfillment I think I have yet experienced. While thinking of my next steps, I combined my long-time passion for working with people with special needs and my newfound love of elementary education. I found myself returning to Georgia State University in the Fall of 2016 pursuing a career as an Elementary Special Education Teacher. In May of 2019, I graduated summa sum laude and accepted a teaching position as a special education teacher for Kindergarteners and 1st graders at The Kindezi School Old Fourth Ward.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
While my path was certainly meant to be, I would not call it smooth. To be candid, the same time the calling to become a teacher occurred in my life, I was experiencing and chasing after healing from Depression and Anxiety Disorder. So, while the most healing and growth came from working with children, I knew going back to school and pursuing such an involved degree would present itself with challenges such as lack of motivation and anxiety triggered from heavy workloads. Every semester these challenges reoccured. Every semester, I considered dropping out again simply because of the stress of it all. However, I pushed through, and I grew. I have learned to cope and self-manage due to pursuing my passions. I truly believe it was meant to be that my career path required me to leave myself behind at the door each morning before I entered the classroom and focus on my personal strengths instead of my insecurities. For anyone starting their journey, my biggest pieces of advice are find something you love, surround yourself with those who push you towards your passions, and never, never quit.
Please tell us about your business.
This is one tough question, simply because as a teacher I wear many hats. I am a special education teacher. My technical title is a “case manager”. Essentially, I help my students reach their personalized goals, via individual lessons and accommodations, as spelled out in each of their Individual Education Plans. I am a teacher, a data collector, a goal setter, a lesson planner, and a behavior analyst. Some jobs not outlined in my contract include: a hand-holder, a nose-wiper, a tear-dryer, a fun-planner, a listener, and sometimes even a friend. I am most proud to be involved in a community where everyone around me so passionately takes on these roles as well.
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
I would say yes simply because, throughout my childhood, I always found myself either volunteering with children or working with people with special needs. There has always been an inexplicable pull.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 6786549195
- Email: replogle.rachel@gmail.com
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