Finding Balance: Lessons from a Chef, Teacher and Sailor.

Some people question why I’ve changed careers so many times. From the outside, it might seem like a drastic shift—chef, financial advisor, and now middle school teacher. But to me, these transitions make perfect sense. Even though I left the hospitality industry after just ten years, I still feel deeply connected to food and cooking. When I moved into finance, I stayed just long enough to pass my certifications and quickly realized that while I hated sales, I loved connecting with people. That realization helped shape my next steps.

My degree in culinary arts from Drexel University allowed me to secure an emergency teaching certificate, opening the door to a whole new challenge: education. As an older student and career-changer, I felt immense pressure to excel quickly. I wasn’t just learning how to teach; I was learning how to reach and inspire middle school students in West Philadelphia, a task that has proven to be one of the most demanding and rewarding experiences of my life.

One of my biggest challenges was finding ways to connect with my students as a new white teacher in a predominantly Black community. Trust doesn’t come automatically; it has to be built. I turned to what I knew best—food. I started small, making breakfast burritos for my 7th-grade homeroom. It was an instant hit. That simple act of sharing a meal created an opportunity for connection. From there, I found ways to integrate my culinary background into my science and math lessons.

I used food as a tool for engagement—grilled cheese to explain heat transfer, pancakes to demonstrate chemical reactions, and French toast to make lessons on measurements more interactive. Food became a bridge between us, breaking down barriers and fostering understanding.

Everywhere I’ve worked—whether in the military, the kitchen, finance, or the classroom—I have been surrounded by people of different races, genders, and backgrounds. From enlisting in the Navy at 17 to stepping into a classroom in my late 40s, I’ve had to adapt, connect, and find common ground. The ability to build relationships and work collaboratively has been the common thread in every career I’ve pursued.

Finding balance in these transitions hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve come to realize that my experiences, no matter how varied, have all led me to where I am today. Teaching requires resilience, patience, and creativity—the same qualities I honed in the kitchen and on a ship. My journey may not follow a traditional path, but it has given me a unique perspective, one that allows me to bring real-world experiences into the classroom and truly connect with my students.