Life in Costa Rica: Embracing New Beginnings and Online Advocacy

Hi! It's been a while since I posted on here. My husband, Kalen, and I have now been living here in Samara, Costa Rica for almost 3 months. Time both goes quickly and slowly here. When living here, you honestly have no choice but to relax. Especially when you live in a beach town and when you don't have a car.

sunset time!

I also have been busy working on a new venture. I finally have had enough time away from my job as a full-time school psychologist full in schools to think about some of the things I'm really passionate about. Hence why I am making a move towards opening a virtual special ed advocacy and online tutoring business. But, let's take a step back for a minute.

The first month living here I was fully engaged in the TEFL program. As I've mentioned on here previously, the TEFL program is fairly intense. You go to the classes from 10:30-7:30 each day with an hour off for lunch. The course consists of taking classes to learn how to teach English using the communicative approach and then planning and teaching lessons. We got the opportunity to teach English to community members both in person and online.

teaching at TEFL

Following graduating the program, I have been busy settling in to life here and working virtually as an English language instructor. Which brings me to now. I have finally had time to take a breath and really think and make a plan for what I want to do next. Both about what I want to do with my school psychology background and experience and what I want to do with my TEFL background and experiences tutoring and teaching both in person and virtually.

During my time as a school psychologist, I was most passionate about making sure all kids were getting the support they needed and deserved. I gained confidence as I gained experience and felt more and more able to use my voice to ensure that this was happening. At times I felt very frustrated because it felt that even as an employee of certain districts it felt like I was fighting to get kids what they needed. I was sometimes confused about why certain decisions were being made. And if I was confused, how must parents feel??

I also was also passionate about working to help teachers and parents with improving student's behaviors. As a school psychologist, I am trained in conducting functional behavior assessments and writing behavior intervention plans as well as in consulting with teams about this process. Holding problem solving meetings and figuring out how to take and review data is my jam.

And finally, I always have loved working with kids and adults in smaller settings, be it as a school psychologist consulting or teaching social emotional skills or as a tutor as an extra job in the summer or evenings. I love getting to know people on a deeper level and really watching them grow and progress.

This all led me to create a virtual business I am launching called PsychED Advocacy, a business that I designed to include all of these areas: special education consulting, parent coaching/behavioral support, and virtual tutoring for academics as well as for English language learning.

Check it out please! Sign up with an email and get a monthly newsletter with tips about special education.

I would love your support as I work to get the word out that I am starting this new adventure. Please visit my site at Puravidapsych.com and check out what I am looking to offer. Also, please leave any questions or comments here and I will be sure to answer!