Faces of Long Island celebrates the uniqueness of everyday Long Islanders. In their own words, they tell us about their life experiences, challenges and triumphs. Newsday launched this social media journey into the human experience to shine a light on the diverse people of this wonderful place we call home.

Category: wheatley-heights

‘I have Tourette syndrome, OCD, ADHD and epilepsy. So, I can definitely understand feeling like you don’t have a voice.’

Wheatley Heights

“A lot of wake-up calls happened during COVID. In no way was it a good time for anybody. But the one positive that I can take from it was it gave me that time to really research how to start a business where I could help people exactly the way that I want to.

“Not only did I come to a head where I realized it was time for me to leave my position where I was helping people with autism, but I realized that I didn’t want to work for others.

“I really wanted to start to build a business so I could give the quality attention to people that they deserve. The only way I was going to do that was by owning my own business.

“So, I literally — from home while COVID was occurring — was able to look up how to start a business. I looked into how to get an EIN [Employer Identification] number, how to get and create a website and how to list advertisements. I got a mentor and all of those things. I saw that what I’ve been doing all along has been life coaching.

I honestly think that that’s what happiness is — feeling important and having purpose.

“In addition to the autistic population, I also support the LGBTQ population. I feel like this group of people is underrepresented and needs someone to advocate for them. I offer exactly the same services. It’s not really daily living skills as much as helping you cope with your feelings. They might find it hard to talk to someone in the mental health field that can understand where they’re coming from.

“I myself am LGBTQI, so I understand exactly where this group of people is coming from. I have Tourette syndrome, OCD, ADHD and epilepsy. So, I can definitely understand feeling like you don’t have a voice. I want to be that voice.

“One thing that they’ve told me is that I make them feel safe. That’s honestly the number one thing that I would want for anybody, especially individuals that are vulnerable and in populations where they are underrepresented.

“I make them feel like they’re a person, like they matter and like they are positive and worthwhile. I honestly think that that’s what happiness is — feeling important and having purpose. All I do as a life coach is I mirror the positive things about them, and I help them get on the road to independence so they can feel a sense of purpose.”

Interviewed by Victoria Bell

‘Despite all the trials, teaching children is the most rewarding job you will have.’

Wheatley Heights

“I always wanted to be a teacher since I was little. I’m one of six children and we had one TV, so we had no choice but to make up games and we always played school. I got my teaching degree, but teaching is my second career. I was working for Chase Manhattan Bank and I was really moving up in the company, I got to travel all over the country. Because of that position and promotions that I was receiving, I decided to put the thought of being a teacher to the side.

“But my thoughts changed because I was a single mother at the time and I wanted to spend more time with my son, Marcus, who is now 26 years old. My Mom said, “You have your degree, go teach so you can be home when he’s home.” I’ve been at Hempstead schools for the past 20 years, got my masters, and during that time I met my husband, Jarvis. He helped me get through my masters, when I was up late studying, he was helping me take care of Marcus. I have been involved in the union for a long time, now I’m president of Hempstead Classroom Teachers Association. I always believed in fighting for people who didn’t have a voice. My father was in the New York City transit union and I remember him fighting for wage increases and benefits.

I encourage people who enjoy working with children to not let it bring you down, to stay on the path because it’s so rewarding.

“My husband is union president in the Town of Oyster Bay, so we support and help each other. Our contract expired in 2013 but we haven’t had any raises since 2010, so I’m fighting for a contract for my members. We’re the ones on the front line, doing the work, especially during COVID-19. A lot of the teachers work a second job, including myself, I have to do a little extra just to make sure my kids have what they need. I have members who are waiters, they tutor, they drive for Uber. Many teachers are leaving the profession in the middle of the school year and we’re going to have a teacher shortage. My son is going to school to be a math teacher and I’m encouraging him to continue that work because we need more teachers of color, especially in math and science. I encourage people who enjoy working with children to not let it bring you down, to stay on the path because it’s so rewarding. Despite all the trials, teaching children is the most rewarding job you will have.”

The person profiled here has been a guest on Newsday Live.

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