Empowering Educators: A Principal’s Perspective on Becoming a Parenting Coach

Stephanie's role as a principal opened her eyes to the challenges parents face in supporting their children's social-emotional development: “Over the past several years, I have noticed a rapidly growing need to incorporate social-emotional goals and supports in education plans, as well as a need to train our teachers to integrate more social-emotional development experiences in their classrooms. In working with parents and caregivers, I frequently hear that they struggle to support the same lagging skills, behaviors, and dynamics at home.”

Through her interactions with families, she realized that parents often lacked specific strategies and support tailored to their child's needs. The shortage of professional services in her region further reinforced the need for accessible parental resources and guidance.

“Many parents express this understanding, followed by sharing their lack of specific strategies and support in parenting their children in the individualized way that the child needs. Parents also share that most of their knowledge about parenting comes from how things were done in their family of origin, which is not a generational pattern they wish to replicate. A final, important component that made it clear that parents need support is that our state (Vermont), like many states, is experiencing a significant shortage of professional services in the area of childhood and family counseling, parent education, and pediatric care, which are the primary avenues through which parents tend to seek support.”

Taking the Step to Become a Parenting Coach

Driven by her passion for working directly with children and caregivers, Stephanie embarked on a three-year Master's program in clinical mental health, specializing in youth, adolescents, and families. However, the operational aspects of being a principal interfered with her ability to focus on the work she found most important. Inspired by the idea of parent coaching, Stephanie saw it as an opportunity to align her career aspirations with her desire to support families and children more effectively. Furthermore, as a parent, Stephanie's personal experiences fueled her interest in neuroscience, attachment science, and reflective parenting.

Utilizing the Jai Certification

The concepts and approaches she's gained from the Jai Parent Coach Certification program have transformed how she connects with her children and the students she works with at her school. 

Stephanie shares these key insights with her teachers and staff, shaping their practices and responses to prioritize understanding behavior, individual development, and the influence of neuroception and brain development. The strategies and concepts learned through Jai help foster attunement, connection, and compassion, benefiting both students and educators.

She leaves her post as a Principal at the end of the school year to devote herself to her new business as an Education Consultant and Parenting Coach.

Connecting Parents and Educators

Stephanie Sumner's inspiring journey from principal to parenting coach highlights the importance of bridging the gap between education and parenting. By recognizing the need for parental support and embracing a new career path, Stephanie is paving the way for educators to profoundly impact families' and children's lives. 

Through her dedication to continuous learning and applying her Jai Certification training, Stephanie is poised to create positive change in her community and beyond. As more educators consider becoming parenting coaches, they have the opportunity to foster stronger connections, provide valuable guidance, and empower parents in their journey of raising resilient and thriving children.