You can impact lives and still have a life.
It took me a long time to learn that.
I became an educator to make an impact. You probably did, too. I did everything I could to help my students succeed, but the work was wearing me out. If you feel like that, too, you are in the right place. We can be great educators and whole, happy humans.
I’m Julie Schmidt Hasson, and I spent decades as a teacher and principal in k12 schools before becoming a professor in educational leadership. I believe that teaching is the lever for creating a better world. But teaching is complicated, messy, and incredibly challenging. I can’t make teaching easier, but I can equip teachers like you with the tools and strategies to navigate the challenges.
How it started…
Based on where I am now (a professor, researcher, author, speaker), you’d never guess how my academic journey started. I remember feeling anxious and afraid on my first day of first grade. I was struggling with early reading skills and certain I did not belong in first grade. Lucky for me, I landed in Mrs. Russell’s classroom. With her patience, persistence, and creative approach, this highly anxious, dyslexic kid became a reader. I grew to love reading, and I started to love school. Check out the vintage pic of Mrs. Russell and me, and click the button below to hear more of our story.
I loved school so much that I dreamed of being a teacher, just like Mrs. Russell. I spent 15 years teaching in the primary grades and loving every minute (well, maybe not EVERY minute). Working with little learners brought me big joy and sweet memories. I did not want to leave the classroom, but I did want to support teachers. My beloved principal, Scott Myers, conviced me I could make a big impact as a school administrator, and so, I spent the next 10 years as an assistant principal and principal. Remember Mrs. Russell? I got to be her principal for a few years. Here’s another pic of us (a bit more recent).
How it’s going…
During my time as a school administrator, I earned my doctorate in educational leadership at the University of South Florida. I left my principal job in 2015 (the same year Mrs. Russell retired) to become a professor. I wanted to help as many educators as I could. In addition to teaching graduate students, I was tasked with doing research. I decided to explore what teachers (like Mrs. Russell) do to make a lasting impact on students’ lives.
In order to answer this question, I needed to talk to people who were once students (not hard to find). I sat at parks, farmers markets, college campuses, all kinds of places, with a sign inviting people to chat with me about their teachers. It was the best, craziest idea I’ve ever had. You can read some of the stories they shared on the Stories page.
Word got out about my loitering and listening, and I was invited to give a TEDx Talk about my research. I was used to talking in a classroom, but not on a stage. It took some coaching and some courage, but I did it. Click on the button below to check out the TEDx Talk.
Soon, I had invitations to speak about teacher impact all over the United States (and Canada). I loved giving educators the inspiration and information they needed to make a big impact, but something was keeping me up at night. I knew teachers were often sacrificing their own well-being to serve their students. They were giving their all, and giving themselves away. There had to be a way to impact lives and still have a life.
That’s when I met Dr. Amit Sood, the founder and executive director of the Global Center for Resiliency and Wellbeing. A former professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Dr. Sood is now known as the Happiness Doctor, a title he wears proudly. While you are busy teaching, I am busy learning from Dr. Sood and other experts about stress management, resilience, and happiness habits. I also spend time observing in classrooms and schools and interviewing teachers about the tools and strategies that help them sustain in the work. Now I get to share what I’ve learned with you in the Teacher Recharge Framework.
That’s my story. I’d love to hear yours. Reach out and introduce yourself on Facebook or Instagram. If your school or district is looking for a keynote or professional learning packed with inspiration and research based strategies, let’s connect via email or by scheduling a quick call.
“Teaching is full of challenges, and the way we navigate those challenges can light us up or burn us out.”
Julie Schmidt Hasson
5 Fun Facts about me…
One - I am a third generation educator. My grandmother and mother impacted countless lives as teachers before me. Oh, and I am the proud mom of the fourth generation of teachers in our family. At some point in each of our careers, all four of us were third grade teachers.
Two - I’ve had the same best friend since middle school. Laura Estes-Swilley and I used to sit together in some of our favorite teachers’ classrooms. It’s no wonder we both became teachers. My teacher bestie is an amazing high school English teacher. We co-authored Lessons that Last, and you can listen to us talk teaching every week on the Lessons That Last podcast.
Three - I’m not a native North Carolinian. I moved here in 2020 with my husband, Brian (also a professor), to teach at Appalachian State. The mountains feel like home now, but I still get strange looks from the locals when I order an unsweet iced tea.
Four - I’m a sucker for a rescue pup. My two rescue dogs, Winnie and Charlie, both elicit the same question from strangers. What kind of dog is that? While the DNA is questionable, there’s no question that they light up my life.
Five - I’m hopelessly devoted to James Taylor. If I’m having a tough day, I put on a JT record. If I’m having a good day, I play some Sweet Baby James. He is definitely the soundtrack of my life. How sweet it is!
I want you to love what you do, and I want you to be excited about the opportunity you have to impact lives each and every day. I want you to feel proud of your profession and understand that educators are ripple makers, and those ripples can change the world.
Teaching has never been more difficult, but it’s also never been more important. I would love to walk beside you on this journey and provide the support and resources you need to keep making ripples.