A Journal Changed My Life. That's Why I Created One for Educators.

Oprah has a lot to do with why I wrote this journal.

In 2003, we were living on a military base in Miramar, California. I was pregnant, raising a four-year-old, and my husband was deployed. Like many military spouses, I spent my days balancing ordinary family life with extraordinary uncertainty. My daughter was busy doing all the sweet and funny things a four-year-old should do. The baby was healthy and active, reminding me of its presence with regular, hearty kicks.

At the same time, I was anxiously searching for news about the war. There were no smartphones, social media feeds, or streaming services. Information arrived in sporadic and carefully worded letters, and conversations with other spouses standing at the mailboxes, trying to piece together what was happening and reassure one another that our loved ones were safe.

During those months, I found myself writing late at night while watching the news. I recorded my thoughts, worries, and updates so I could share them with my husband when he returned. I also collected my daughter's artwork, ultrasound photos, pictures & videos, and small memories from everyday life—moments I didn't want him to miss.

Then one day I watched The Oprah Winfrey Show. She was interviewing families with a deployed service member. It was one of those episodes where a deployed father was waiting in the back to surprise his teen-age daughter who was currently on the stage and who had no idea he had returned home safely. The young woman described how she was coping while her father was away. Her answer was simple: she kept a journal.

In that moment, a light bulb went off.

I realized that was exactly what I was doing. I wasn't just documenting events—I was processing difficult emotions, preserving important memories, and creating something meaningful for the future. Journaling was helping me manage the intensity of the present while holding onto hope for what would come next.

That realization eventually led me to publish a set of guided journals for military families experiencing deployment. Filled with reflection prompts, encouragement, and space to capture memories, they were designed to support both healing and hope.

Nearly twenty years later, I've learned even more about the power of guided reflection. Research shows that journaling can help people process emotions, reduce stress, recognize patterns, celebrate successes, and make meaning from their experiences. Sometimes it helps us express thoughts we cannot readily say out loud. Just as importantly, it helps us notice moments that might otherwise be forgotten.

Throughout that time, I continued my work with children and educators, primarily in early childhood education. Wherever it made sense, I incorporated reflective journaling into professional learning experiences—new employee orientation, educator conferences, leadership development programs, and even my doctoral research. Again and again, I saw reflection help people connect learning to practice, gain insight from their experiences, and strengthen their sense of purpose.

Eventually, I realized it was time to create a journal designed specifically for educators. Teaching is meaningful work, but it is also demanding work. Educators face challenges every day while carrying tremendous responsibility for the well-being, growth, and learning of children. Many, especially those early in their careers, question themselves. They wonder if they are doing enough, whether they are meeting children's needs, or if they are truly suited for the profession.

Connecting Practice to Purpose: A Reflective Journal for Teachers was created with those realities in mind. My hope is that it helps educators learn from their experiences, reflect on challenges, celebrate growth, and recognize the countless ways they positively influence children's lives. Through guided prompts and reflection activities, educators can document important moments, explore their professional journey, and connect daily experiences to a deeper sense of purpose.

Designed to accompany an educator through a meaningful year—whether that is a first teaching position, a new role, a different age group, or a fresh start in a new school—the journal provides structure without limiting creativity. The prompts help overcome the intimidation of a blank page while creating space for authentic reflection and personal storytelling.

Years after my husband's deployment ended, I finally reread the journal I had kept during that difficult time. Looking back, I realized just how strong I had been, even when I know I felt anything but while it was all happening. That is my hope for every educator who uses this journal.

With opening and closing letters to themselves, educators can capture not only what happened during a particular year, but who they became because of it. My hope is that they will finish the journey with a powerful reminder of their resilience, their growth, and the profound difference they make in the lives of children every day.