My Coaching Story

A Guide to Your Goals

I grew up as an “army brat” so although I was a daddy’s girl, discipline drive and determination were par for course in my life. From an early age I was taught to plan and set goals. Hence at the age of 29 I was living what others thought was a dream. I was practicing law in Miami, dating wealthy fit “high value” men, living in a 5 bedroom home and driving a silver Mercedes sports car. But I wasn’t happy, in fact I was borderline miserable.

More About Me.

See I hated my job, was dating men that only saw me as a trophy to have on their arm and didn’t share my Christian values and felt lonely in a huge house by myself.

So I switched jobs to a highly sought after executive director position, left my “dream guy” fiancé, and got a dog. Little did I know that I was at least 10 years younger than most of my staff and that’s when I discovered how cruel mean and downright unfair life can be. One of older ladies on the office falsely accused me of breaking her arm. I was placed on administrative leave, arrested and facing discipline by the Florida bar. My perfect world was shattered.

BUT LITTLE DID THEY KNOW THIS BATTLE WAS WORKING FOR MY GOOD.

Talk about a tough dark time. But remember I was a military brat I knew how to solider up and fight for what appeared to all to be a dream life. So that’s what I did I fought to get the life everyone envied back. At what I thought was my darkest hour I empowered myself to get back on “top”. Everyday I told myself this too shall pass and in the end it did but even though I had gotten a 20k raise out of the whole ordeal. I still was missing something.

See getting up at 5am, to keep my great figure, the high powered work, huge house, and putting up with the crap that can come with dating “ wasn’t enough for me, it was mentally and physically draining. I literally woke up one morning exhausted and said why am I doing this who am I trying to please. And so I requested a career redirection and …

Starting teaching kindergarten. Yep that’s right I gave it all up to teach. I absolutely loved it, and haven’t looked back since.

See in the midst of the storm I stepped away from everyone and everything and literally focused on God and myself. What did I love, what made me happy.

The life I was living was a made for tv fairytale, but I wasn’t living happily ever after. See we’re constantly being told that we have to be a boss have and do it all in order to be “blessed” to be successful and there’s nothing wrong with that if that’s not what you truly desire. What if you want to make money as a stay at home mom, or teach on the elementary or high school level even though you qualify to be a college professor.

That’s where I come in.

AT MY DARKEST HOUR I EMPOWERED MYSELF TO BE CONFIDENTLY ME!

That’s what the BLESSED life is; the life that makes you feel confident secure joy filled and on top of the world. I help you find the confidence to discover your passion, and create this joy filled life on your terms without compromise.

Let me help you create a life that enables you to say I’m living and loving the BLESSED Life.

EXPERIENCE

(November 2009- present)

City of Miami Gardens

Special Master

Hearings Officer for City Code Enforcement Proceedings and Red Light Camera Traffic Violations, Examine evidence, make rulings, levy fines.

(March 2006- Present)

The Belony Group Law Firm / Johnny A. Gaspard, P.L.L.C. Miami, FL

Attorney Consultant

Conduct contract work for firm on a per diem basis. Interview clients, attend mediations, draft demand letters, appraise litigation worthiness and settlement value of cases. Assist clients with filing of complaints with federal, state and local compliance agencies.

(October 2008- present)

Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami, FL

Teacher

Teach basic fundamentals of education including reading, language arts, writing, spelling, math science, social studies, music, art and physical education. Develop curriculum and scope and sequence for Law Studies Academy, prepare and implement lesson plans, deliver whole and small group lessons for Legal Systems, Legal Ethics, US History, International Law, Court Procedures, Comprehensive Law, Political Science, Debate and
Speech. Sponsor for Dance/Team and S.H.A.P.E.

(March 2007 – September 2008)

Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami, FL

Senior Administrator

Senior Administrator in charge of ensuring compliance with the Federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (“NCLB”), I Choose I & II grants, the State Opportunity Scholarship Program (“OSP”), and A Business Community Schools (“ABC”). Supervised staff of 7, ensured budget compliance, interacted with various departments that play key roles in full implementation of NCLB, OSP and ABC. Restructured office including launching of new application procedure, drafting and publishing of new implementation plan and balancing
competing demands amongst conflicting state and federal statutes.

(August 2001-March 2006)

United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Miami, FL

Sr. Trial Attorney GS 13 Step 2

Extensive litigation of employment discrimination cases from complaint to resolution. Draft affidavits, consent decrees, complaints, client letters, correspondence to opposing counsel, litigation recommendations, press releases and deposition abstracts. Prepare requisitions and handle all financial aspects of litigation. Depose witnesses. Interview potential witnesses and /or claimants to determine class eligibility and credibility, examine criminal and civil background information. Determine litigation worthiness of cases. Attend conferences, mock trials, hearings, and TAP seminars. Conduct settlement negotiations and draft settlement agreements. Oversee investigation of EEOC charges. Perform legal research.

(August 2000- May 2001)

Family Court Clinic, Miami, FL

Certified Legal Intern

Certified to practice law, interviewed clients, wrote correspondence to the court, litigated cases for victims of domestic violence, determined primary custodial residence, visitation and support. Conducted background checks

(Summer 2000)

United States Department of Transportation, Philadelphia, PA

Legal Intern for Regional Counsel

Researched and wrote legal Memoranda on federal financial assistance awarded to transportation authorities and ethical issues faced by government employees. Conducted extensive research and writing on ADA regulations. Attended CLE Seminars and other training on transportation law.

(1/01 - 5/01) (1/00 - 5/00)

St. Thomas University School of Law, Miami, FL

Constitutional Law Dean’s Fellow for Professor Alfred Light

Developed curriculum, led group discussions, conducted review sessions and tutored in area of Constitutional Law. Conducted seminars on legal analysis, exam writing, issue spotting, case briefing and time management.

(5/99- 8/99) (1/00-5/00)

Professor Stephen Plass

Research Assistant

Extensive research in the areas of contract, labor and employment discrimination law.

(Summer 1999)

U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida, Miami, FL

Judicial Intern for the Honorable Alan S. Gold

Researched and wrote legal memoranda and recommended judicial orders; observed trial, hearings, and conferences.

(Summer 1995, 1996, 1997)

Allied Signal Aerospace Corporation, Baltimore, MD

Human Resource Intern

Participated in all major Human Resource functions. Conducted all aspects of hiring, layoffs, recalls and terminations. Participated in collective bargaining agreement contract negotiations, EEOC discrimination charge responses, benefits administration, salary calculations, training and various other Human Resource functions.

MINISTRY

(August 2010- August 2011)

The Fountain of New Life Church, Miami Gardens, FL

The Spring Children’s Ministry Bible Study Teacher

Write and teach bible study lessons for children aged 3- 5 th grade, assist with other ministry activities as needed.

(January 2010- present)

The River Adult Ministries

Victorious Disciples

Victorious Disciples, mentee/disciple; P3, member; Gharmony, Co-Facilitator; Project Exodus, Volunteer; Abundant Living Ministry, Volunteer.

(October 2001- December 2009)

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Carol City, Miami Gardens, FL

Youth and Young Adult Ministry Volunteer

2009) volunteer in youth and young adult ministries in various capacities as needed including, setting up and cleaning up major events such as Hallelujah Night, Family Fall Festival, Back to School Rallies, All Night Youth Jams, Youth Conferences. Serve as
chaperone on youth outings such as local and out of town Mission Trips, Honor Roll Celebrations, Youth Choir Outings, Organize and Host Youth/Young Adult Worker Fellowships, Assist in planning and implementation of youth activities.

(January 2007-December 2009)

Youth Bible Study

Youth Bible Study Teacher

Wrote and taught bible study lessons for youth age 10-12. In addition would adopt lessons and serve as back up teacher for youth of all ages as necessary.

(January 2006- December 2006)

Women’s Bible Study

Youth and Young Adult Ministry Volunteer

Taught bible study to woman age 18 and over, wrote lessons and adopted curriculum from to meet the needs of the women’s ministry. Designed power point presentations to coincide with lessons being taught.

Educator Accomplishments

2020

2015

2012

Teacher of the Year Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial High School

Legacy Magazine South Florida’s Top Black Educators

ABOTA Justice Teachers’ Law School Scholar of the Year

McDonald’s Florida Classic Teacher of the Week

Rookie Teacher of the Year Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial High School