Rising Stars: Meet Paige DeLozier of Mt. Juliet

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paige DeLozier.

Hi Paige, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My “calling” was to be a teacher. I just knew I would be in the classroom until I retired and I gave everything I had to learning how to be the best teacher I could be.
I attended Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) for my Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in K-6 education and enjoyed every minute of the program while I was there. I taught in Nashville for a little over six years, spending the bulk of my time teaching second grade and earning my ESOL certification along the way.

During the summer of 2019, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Bryn and motherhood changed my life, and my perspective, for good. It was only two months into my return to school that I made the difficult decision to resign from my teaching job and to look for what else might be out there for me.

My resignation wasn’t sudden by any means, though. It had been coming for a couple of years. Although I absolutely loved–and still love–the art of teaching and being with children, the weight of what was being asked of individual educators at my school was tremendous and unreasonable. My mental and physical health were suffering because of it and I had to make a choice.

I was privileged to be able to pivot in my career from the classroom into a work-from-home position for a mission-driven education nonprofit that has supported me and my goals since I made the switch. We specialize in family engagement which has given me a new perspective on education entirely. It’s also given me time to focus on myself, my family, and my purpose outside of work.

However, during my career transition, my daughter was less than a year old and I began experiencing symptoms of Postpartum Distress (PPD). Depression. Anxiety. Paranoia. It was awful. Joy mostly came from being with my baby and talking to her. Making sure she knew I was there and that she was loved.

I started saying a little poem to her about love each day. About how the only expectation her dad and I have for her life is love. That each day she could recognize the love that is present in her life and show love to others. No career would matter quite as much as that. We don’t have these lofty hopes and dreams for her that she’d have to strive for. Just love. And that would be enough.

We had hand motions we’d do each day when I said it to her and I could tell she was beginning to recognize the repetition of the poem. She would giggle every time we shouted “AND YOURSELF” about loving herself.

I decided that I would survive the crisis of PPD by doing–by creating. I’d always had the dream of publishing a kids’ book and Bryn was really enjoying this poem I had concocted for her. So I did it! That’s where Feel Love, Give Love came from. I channeled the pain and confusion of PPD into a creation filled with love and hope.

I sat on the book for a few years, thinking no one else would really care. “It’s just a sweet poem I wrote for my girl,” I thought. But I wanted to create more. And as I’ve shared it with more families, educators and kids, it has really resonated with them.

Now it’s 2025, Bryn is about to turn 6, and I have published two picture books, and some supplemental resources to go along with them. I can’t stop! It’s fun for me. It allows me to channel my creativity, my educational expertise, and my passion for childhood development into something I’m proud of. And there’s definitely more to come.

All of my books and creative resources focus primarily on developing social emotional skills because that’s what I see a desperate need for today. But I throw in academics as well because that’s what I do! I figure I’m at the corner of compassion and content–my heroes are Mr. Rogers and Ms. Frizzle afterall–with relevant subject matter for every family.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The Postpartum Distress was a huge obstacle. I wouldn’t say I’m grateful for it, but I would say it was a catalyst for me finding my creative voice.

Independently publishing books is also quite difficult. I wrote, edited, illustrated (except for my second book, thank you Lacy Lovell-Watson!), formatted, and did EVERYTHING for my books and resources. I love it but it’s so much work. I do it because I believe in the message of each book or resource. I believe they are items that can help a child or a family. It’s my dream to see them in schools, homes, libraries, and book stores.

I also didn’t go into detail about the challenges I faced while teaching. That’s a whole story of its own. But it’s important because it did a lot to shape how I view what children need, what support families need, what educators need, etc.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I think my books and resources are unique for a few reasons.

First, they’re independently created and published with children and families in mind. I’m not a celebrity who is just looking for the next way to make a buck so, “Oh, I’ll write a picture book!”

Second, the whole purpose of this work is to build resilience and develop social emotional skills in kids while engaging families in the process. I truly enjoy combining my education background, parenthood and family engagement knowledge to create things that can make a difference.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I was born and raised in the Nashville area. I have a deep love for my home because, well, it’s my home. I love the way the lightning bugs sparkle in my yard on a summer night. I love how small I feel next to Athena at the Parthenon. I love that my favorite artists come through town, sometimes at an arena, sometimes in an intimate setting.

What I love most about Nashville is the love that abounds if you’re willing to see it. From neighbors volunteering in times of crisis (think the 2010 flood or recent tornadoes) to a thriving LGBTQ+ community spreading joy and light through drag shows and safe spaces, Nashvillians take care of each other. That’s the kind of love politicians can never take away from us. Feel love give love every single day, Tennessee.

Pricing:

• Feel Love, Give Love – $12.99
• I Feel (blank) – $12.99
• All other resources – FREE

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.paigedelozier.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feel.love.paige/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/padelozier
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paige-delozier/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PaigeA.DeLozier