Inspiring Conversations with Erica Battle of Life Changes in Progress Educational Consulting

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Battle.

Hi Erica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Although I love my work in education, I had dreamed of being a Broadcast Journalist, specifically in sports. I just knew that was what I meant to do until I did an internship in a newsroom and did not enjoy anything about being in the newsroom and realized that I didn’t want to work in that type of high-stress environment day in and day out, so I had to figure something out. I decided to find a job in Public Relations since it was too late to change my major, and I loved everything about it. I enjoyed the opportunities to meet new people and network around the city. Unfortunately, I was laid off due to some issues within the company. Not having a job was not an option, so the first thing I could think of at the moment was to become a substitute teacher, and the rest is history. I took a long-term substitute teaching position for a 7th grade English class because the principal could not fill that position. I found out later that I was the 6th substitute in 6 weeks, so the students had made it their mission to run off every sub that came into that classroom. I think they were surprised to see me the second week I returned because no other substitute came back. I fell in love with my students even though we had a rough start. I realized they were just kids who needed someone to believe in them and provide them with tough love but more love than anything. After a few weeks and the principal still not having any success with filling that position, she asked me to stay for the school year, and of course, I said yes. Realizing I wanted to continue to teach, I went back to school and obtained my Masters’s Degree in Education to continue to teach.

I continued teaching and learning to perfect my craft as a classroom teacher for 5 additional years. After 5 years as a classroom teacher, I was promoted to a Literacy Coach for a local middle school. I remained in that position for two years. We increased achievement and became a Reward School during that time because of growth. Because of that growth in literacy, I was offered a bonus to return to the classroom, and I did return for two additional years. After that time, I left the classroom for a final time to become a coordinator for the Response to Intervention initiative for a local charter school. I remained in that position until February 2017. At that time, I left the traditional school setting for good and began consulting for schools and school districts full-time, which is what I currently do. I have the opportunity to interact with and impact thousands of educators each year, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wish it were smooth the entire time. As you know, there will be ebbs and flows with building any business. When I began consulting, it was great because I had already made a small clientele, so I could hit the ground running with little to no disruption in finances. The struggles came when I finished servicing my clients and didn’t have others in the wings waiting. Learning how to balance marketing and working within the business while working with my clients is something I’m still trying to balance today because if you don’t make intentional efforts to market and make sure your potential customers know your business exists no matter how excellent your services are, you won’t have any business.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The name of my business has such a personal meaning to me because the deeper I got into education, I realized that we are all works in progress, and as educators, we impact every student we touch. We have the opportunity to encourage them to pursue their dreams, or our interactions can kill dreams very quickly.

My company is a full-service educational consulting firm. We provide impactful professional development for educational leaders, teachers, and staff within a school or district. We also provide school and district climate evaluations, coaching for leaders and teachers, and support services to help schools accomplish the goals they set in their strategic plan. We can support schools/districts with their SEL initiatives and their Instructional Goals so we are not limited in the support that we can provide.

We also have an SEL resource titled, Who Are You? A Guide to Help Adolescents Navigate the Social and Emotional Issues of Life was created for middle and high school students. This resource can be used in an Advisory or small group setting. It addresses the five competencies of the SEL framework by providing its participants with real-life readings and scenarios to work through. We will also be releasing our reading system to support teachers in teaching students as young as 2nd grade how to comprehend what they are reading by giving them a process or method to teach comprehension skills explicitly. I have learned that reading is not fun over the years when you can’t do it well.

Although I loved being a classroom teacher, I understood that I could impact more children if I helped change the mindset of the educators that desire to remain in the classroom, so I decided to jump head first into consulting. That classroom experience has helped me with my success because I can directly speak to and address the issues that teachers experience, or I at least have the background knowledge to help them work through those issues. This has helped my growth as a business owner because educational leaders are great referral sources, so when you do a great job in their school with their staff, they want others to know about it.

How can people work with you, collaborate, or support you?
I first want people to know that my services are not just limited to schools or school districts. If you work with students and need support on reaching your student population or achieving milestones, please reach out to me at: erica@lifechangesinprogress.com or by phone at 615.219.9830, so we can hop on a call to see how my company can support you.

I have recently released another book for adults, titled, Who Are You Beyond Your Name? This book takes adults on the same self-reflective journey that my adolescent book, Who Are You? A Guide to Help Adolescents Navigate Through the Social and Emotional Issues of Life takes adolescents. Both books can be purchased on Amazon, so readers can feel free to buy them both.

Pricing:

• The adolescent book is: $17.99 for the student workbook
• The adolescent book is $29.99 for the Facilitator Guide
• The adult book is $14.99

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lifechangesinprogress.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theericabattle
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theericabattle/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/theericabattle

Image Credits
Professional Headshots by Kimazing Photography Atlanta