About Me

Hey Everyone,

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I am so humbled that you have taken an interest in The Peaceful Peacock.  My life, like everyone's has been one heck of a journey...but I will give you the Cliffs Notes version of how I got here...

 

I'm a teacher, turned social worker who moonlights as a yoga instructor.  I completed my undergraduate degree in Education (B.S. Ed.) at Seton Hall University and taught middle school social studies in Newark, New Jersey after college.  During my time as an urban educator, I realized a greater need for the community I was servicing and began my next chapter of life; becoming a social worker.  While still teaching full time, I attended Columbia University to obtain my masters degree in social work (MSW/MA).  Then came one of the biggest plot twists of my life; immediately after graduation I was diagnosed with cancer.

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BUMMER.  Every single  plan I had, crushed.  Every next step, road blocked.  Sigh.  So what, now what was the motto I chose to adapt to.  My world quickly changed from a fast-paced, two jobs, graduate school, 20-something year old life, to chemotherapy treatments, doctors appointments, hair loss (amongst losses of many other kinds) and just completely different, unexpected and unplanned.  Sprinkle in a few failed relationships, loss of friendships and the regular chaos of life and I was left feeling unhealthy and defeated, but so, SO grateful to just wake up each day.  During this chapter, I found yoga (and kickboxing...I mean everyone needs a yin to their yang), essential oils, mindfulness and how to ride the wave of life; dancing in the sun when it's beaming and accepting the darkness when it creeps in.  Life is crazy and unpredictable; my idea is to show up, enjoy the ride, take pleasures in daily moments, share my story (and hear the stories of others) and be a positive influence to those I encounter and share chapters with.

 

Amongst my life's challenges I have worked for fifteen years in the south/central ward(s) of Newark, NJ with children, young adults and adults in the areas of trauma, life transitions, addiction, emotion regulation, family systems, incarceration/re-entry and many other facets of life.  It is truly my passion and life's work to assist others on their journey, bring light to dark spaces, empower individuals to be a better version of themselves each day than they were the day before, learn effective communication styles and teach them the tools to living a healthier, happier life daily.