Today we’d like to introduce you to Summer Beach
Hi Summer, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
As a child, my dream job was to be an actor. I realized later that this dream was rooted in wanting to escape my reality. For years I was a victim of abuse and neglect by those that were supposed to protect me. I found safety at school, with my teachers, and through writing and music. My goals shifted and my purpose redefined. I wanted to be a teacher and help other children have a safe space to be authentically themselves. As a first generation college student, I navigated the complexities of financial aid and expanded my mind. I graduated with my AA in Communications and BS in Education from The University of Rio Grande in Rio Grande, OH. The summer after graduation, I moved to Massachusetts and spent the next decade teaching high school English Language Arts, advising for numerous clubs (including the GSA), acting as a camp director for my city, tutoring students, and diving head first into healing my childhood wounds. I completed my MA in English at Western New England University located in Springfield, MA. Throughout my adventures in Massachusetts, written and spoken word, art, music, and nature continued to fuel my creativity, self-understanding, and purpose. After a series of unfortunate events, I moved back to my hometown in Southeast Ohio in my thirtieth birthday. I began teaching at a nearby district and the apathy of the students tore at my heart. I cultivated a joy of learning and again, a safe space for students, particularly those who identified as LGBTQIA+. I earned my teacher leadership endorsement from Ohio Dominican University and mentored numerous student teachers from local colleges. I continued to write poetry, but battled with being a pathological people pleaser. After nearly another decade, life threw some more curve balls and I left my marriage, numerous toxic friendships, and found myself. I moved to Columbus, OH, and being in the city, I began to feel alive again. My burnout from teaching was real, like cry every day to and from work, real. I was ready for leadership and systemic change within the education system. I was a principal, assistant principal, and instructional coach and during that time continued the pursuit of my doctorate in education from National University. I began my program in September of 2017, but never really owned that I was worthy of a doctorate degree. That belief held me back. I am thrilled to say that by the end of 2025, I will proudly have the letters EDD after my name and feel so worthy. I transitioned from working in educational administration to working for an education vertical for a large telecommunications company. I wanted to increase my imprint on equity, connections with other outstanding education professionals, and share my expertise. I began some passion projects, like building my professional presence on LinkedIn, writing my poetry and musings on Instagram @s_l_bliss_shines, contributing a chapter as an author on a book about shattering stereotypes, and felt life filling me. I am in a place that I never believed possible, professionally and personal. The self-love and compassion has required years of intentional work. I consider myself a disruptor of the status and champion for equity. I love connecting with others and inspiring them to realize their power to change the world, one person at a time.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road, ever. One of my biggest obstacles were the core beliefs I held about myself and the world around me that no longer served me well. Trauma does so much to us as humans, physically, mentally, and emotionally. I struggled with self-harm, suicidal ideation, finances, impulsivity, and repeated the damaging cycles in relationships that were modeled for me by some of my family members and people that I thought loved me. I voluntarily hospitalized myself on multiple occasions to stay alive. Another struggle was coming out as a lesbian my freshman year of undergrad. People that I thought loved me suddenly turned their back on my entire existence and verbally condemned me to hell with the offer of their prayers. I stayed in a relationship for 20 years and ironically finalized our divorce through the court online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I took multiple leaves of absence from my career and schooling for my well-being, was denied tenure in a district I thought I would retire from, lost my house due to financial hardship, and was on disability for a short time due to my mental health. I stood up for students that confided in me that a teacher had been sexually inappropriate and abusive towards them. After reporting the allegations to Child Protective Services, I was condemned by the superintendent, even though I was a mandated reporter and knew I took the correct action. Gaslighting, self-doubt, incorrect diagnoses, and micro-aggressions haunted me.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in education leadership consulting that disrupts the status quo and promotes, diversity, equity, and inclusion. I am known for being a safe space for all school stakeholders. I use my voice, expertise, and passion to uplift others through poetry, self-awareness, empathy, love, and strategy. I am most proud of my education, inclusive pedagogies, grant writing, poetry, continual personal and professional growth, connections with others, and the beautiful life I created for myself. My authentic self-love and ability to create a sense of belonging sets me apart from others. I will always use my voice, even if it shakes, if I know I am helping others and myself.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can support me by following and sharing my Instagram account @s_l_bliss_shines and by connecting with or following me on LinkedIn. I am always open to collaboration on writing projects, research, policy, and systematic change that amplify the voices and experiences of the oppressed. I enjoy working with others in international education, education consulting, inspirational speaking events, community-led change, and organizational strategic vision and mission. I am also open to any funding opportunities or partnerships that will increase my ability to focus on and amplify diversity, inclusion, and equity efforts in the United States and the world.
Pricing:
- $8,000 + for Speaking Engagements dependent on size and scope
- $100 + per hour for Organizational & Education Strategic Consulting
- $1,000 + for Personalized Professional Development for Educators, Administrators, and Businesses
- $50+ for Editing depending on the size and scope of project
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.t-mobile.com/business/education
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s_l_bliss_shines
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/summerbeach
