Heidy LaFleur stands out in the world of education. She’s not just another educator; she’s a trustworthy source of inspiration and a force for positive change. Her journey, marked by personal challenges and triumphs, shows her dedication to reshaping the educational landscape. From her early days as a fourth-grade teacher in Chicago Public Schools to her evolutionary role as an administrator and principal, Heidy’s path has been anything but conventional.
Heidy’s approach to education is as unique as her story. She doesn’t just teach; she understands. Understanding each child’s intelligence and potential is at the core of her philosophy. She recognizes that each child learns differently and faces various challenges. She knows every kid walking into school has a story and the way they behave is simply communication. Heidy’s approach stems from her personal experience, mainly a pivotal moment involving her family’s traumatic experience in school. This incident didn’t just impact her; it transformed her approach to teaching and administration, leading her to a significant career decision.
Driven by passion and a deep desire to make a positive impact, Heidy resigned from mainstream education to start her own business, Heidy with a Why, Inc. This bold move was more than a career change; it was a commitment to her beliefs and ideals. Heidy offers services through her company, including keynotes, workshops, behavior coaching and personalized training sessions. Her keynote, “Soaring Balloons and Heavy Shackles,” isn’t just a speech; it’s an experience, a journey through her personal story, designed to inspire and motivate educators.
Another transformation offering is Heidy’s “Social Emotional Alphabet” which consists of over 50 practical strategies to assist all educators in helping our kids who’ve been traumatized, are misunderstood, and who take frequent detours from what’s expected. This set of strategies and resources are not like usual school programs. It’s a blend of practical strategies, including understanding and managing behavior, teaching about trauma, creating meaningful relationships with students and challenging our perspective from judgment to curiosity. Heidy’s approach goes beyond standard teaching methods; she focuses on education’s emotional and psychological aspects, which are often overlooked in traditional settings.
She primarily focuses on children who face challenges, often labeled as ‘those kids’ in educational environments, although her training is for all students. Heidy’s strategy is not about changing these children but impacting them through adult awareness, perspective, and understanding. She believes in guiding, not fixing, and focusing on each child’s journey and development. This helps teachers and other adults in school see past just kids’ behavior and understand the more significant problems, leading to a kinder and more effective way of teaching.
Heidy LaFleur’s real-life experience as an educator and a parent dealing with trauma makes her unique. This dual perspective equips her with practical, relatable, and actionable solutions that transcend theoretical knowledge. Her insights and approaches are grounded in reality, making them more applicable and effective in real-world scenarios. She excels in providing understandable and implementable methods, a trait that makes her services invaluable for educators, administrators and all school support personnel.
Heidy is doing more than just teaching; she’s changing how we think about and do education. Her strong will and never-give-up attitude inspire everyone in education. Her way of teaching is about more than just lessons; it’s about understanding, caring, and improving every student one connection at a time.
If you’re an educator, administrator, or anyone involved in the education sector seeking to make a real difference in the lives of children, Heidy LaFleur’s services are an indispensable resource. Embark on this transformative journey with Heidy and witness the change you can bring to the lives of countless children, as well as yourself. Reach out, engage with her programs, and participate in this incredible journey towards a better, more empathetic world of education because Those Kids are OUR Kids.
