Be A Quiet Listener

Erin Moore is a former teacher who just officially became a full time education consultant. She spent 21 years in the classroom before taking a year off to explore being a full time consultant. When we were talking on the phone she told me that she had just officially resigned from her school district and was all in for her new journey! Erin had been doing some consulting work during breaks in the summer for many years, but that can take its toll on a person. Check out her website https://www.erinmooreconsulting.com/ to find out more of what she has to offer.?

Keep a Hand in the Classroom?

It was clear throughout the entire conversation that Erin is and always will be a teacher at heart even if she has left the classroom. Her passion about teaching was evident, but everything aligned perfectly for her to try something new in her career. She never planned on leaving the classroom and always wants to maintain a connection to what is going on. She loves doing demo lessons and sees a big benefit from continuing to teach. She is still able to say to teachers who are overwhelmed and frustrated that she gets what they are going through and can acknowledge the challenges. People appreciate how she isn’t really removed from the work.?

Wow People?

Erin mentioned that when you are starting out as a consultant you don’t have the reputation or years of experience to use for credibility. That means you need to go above and beyond to really ‘wow’ people. Make it so you are the only person the district wants to bring back! This also helps build word of mouth marketing/networking. When you go above and beyond, people are willing to tell others how great you are, which can lead to more work. This isn’t just the case for consulting, but is really true for anything that you do. How can you over deliver on what people are expecting from you?

Be a Quiet Listener?

When you are talking with someone, hone in on what the person is saying. It doesn’t matter who you are with, just listen to them. We expect the same thing when we are with our students; we listen to all of them. We should do the same thing with everyone we come in contact with. Active listening leads to trust and openness in a relationship. Especially as a consultant, you need people to trust you. Erin mentioned how she wants to support people in any way that she can. She is driven by having a positive impact on someone’s life with the work that she does. She said she hopes to help schools be more joyful!

I always ask for book recommendations from the leaders I interview. Erin recommended two books:?

• The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett??
• Queer Ducks by Eliot Schrefer (This is a young adult book, and Erin mentioned how it is good to read things that our students could be reading).

Thank you for your time and advice, Erin!