ABOUT ME

When I left the Philippines and came to the United States, I became a dedicated special education teacher for children with learning disabilities, ADHD, children with behavior challenges, and children with autism and characteristics of autism.  

 

Several coworkers and friends asked why I have so much patience and where I get my energy,  and they commended my positive attitude and joy.  The truth is, I wasn’t like this several years ago. I used to have very low self-esteem, which caused me to be a people pleaser. I kept denying myself what I needed to prioritize the needs of others to make them happy. Also, as being raised in a religious family,  I often sacrifice myself for others, thinking that was the right thing to do and that was what God wanted me to do.  I was given the title “The Good Girl.” I tried to keep up with that image. Eventually, I lost my identity and was under so much stress because it’s hard to be a good girl all the time. Then, I woke up one day hating myself. I also felt rage with those people I tried to please.  My stress caused me to have a short- temper and feelings of guilt and unworthiness. I was very unhappy with my life. 

 

Things changed for me when I started to see my worth and value as a person as an image and likeness of God. Things became better for me when I learned that it is God’s will for me to love myself so I can love others the way I love myself. Hence, I started to work on myself, spend time on personal development, and care for myself.

 

While I was in the specialized classroom for kindergarten to second-grade students with autism, my teacher's assistant told me about the news she saw on TV. It was about a teacher who was under questioning because she kicked an autistic child out of frustration. That news broke my heart. At that time, I played in the playground with my students. I felt sorrow and worry in my heart while watching my students. I can't imagine anyone hurting my babies. They are so precious and innocent. 

 

I saw many excellent teachers and practitioners who are great at what they do and love their students, but stress is wearing them down. Stress makes them feel impatient, exhausted, and easily irritated, affecting their efficiency, productivity, effectiveness, and relationships with their students, colleagues, and even their loved ones.  I thought I decoded the anatomy of my stress, and I know effective and proven tools that will help a person manage stress and access their inner resources to help reduce stress. Why not share these tools with others? Hence, I decided to get certified as a wellness coach and later in mental health to know the effective and best practices for coaching others.
 

Inspired daily by my students and what they can achieve with the proper support and loving and caring adults, I created Love. Heal. Believe. LLC. I found that if the teachers and caregivers are calm, happy, and have the energy to give, the children pick up on their positive attitude and most likely will have fewer behavior challenges. I aim to help caregivers and educators reduce their stress even in stressful situations and develop a deeper love for themselves so they can give their best self for the children under their care with inner peace and joy.