Episode 8b: Educators in Uncharted Times
Kayli Blankenship
Kayli was born and raised in Pittsboro, North Carolina. She attended Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina where she studied Elementary Education and Psychology. She was also a member and captain of the Guilford College softball team, a leader in the Guilford Christian Ministry, and a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. Since abruptly ending her senior softball season and school year due to Covid in 2020, Kayli has married her high school sweetheart, Garrett Scott, moved to Holly Springs, and has begun her teaching career in third grade at Baucom Elementary School.
She recently began a small charcuterie business, called Grades and Graze, where she loves to have a creative outlet while also spreading joy and intentionality through food. She loves to spend time with her friends, family, and rescue pup Sadie, sip coffee, and build relationships with others. The past (almost) two years have brought much change in Kayli’s life, but her relationship with Jesus has given her a steadfast joy despite her circumstances. She is beginning to find community in her new city and is looking forward to the growth she continues to experience in the years to come.
Morgan Bell
Description: I (Morgan) have spent most of my life in North Carolina and recently moved back to my hometown where my husband and I purchased our first home close to family. I graduated from Appalachian State University in 2019 and stayed in the sweet mountain community of Boone, NC for my first two years of teaching. As if being a first year teacher isn’t crazy enough, my first year ended in the spring of 2020 when the whole world seemed to stop spinning. Now in my third year as a teacher I’m finally starting to find the things that nourish my soul and prioritize my mental health and personal relationships so I can best serve in my roles as wife, daughter, sister, friend and teacher. I recently found yoga as a way to care for my body and mind and have loved discovering this layer of myself. I also love spending my time reading, traveling, having game nights with friends and family and trying new restaurants with my husband.
Nicole DiNardo-Gray
Description: Nicole was born on Long Island and transplanted to North Carolina at the age of 9. I grew up with a brother who has achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism, which is a huge part of why I am fiercely protective and want all people I encounter to embrace and love themselves the way God made them. My youngest brother was tragically killed in a car accident at the age of 20, which gave me a lot of perspective on what is important in life. I have been teaching for 19 years, 16 in 5th grade and 3 in 3rd. I am passionate about justice and equity, both in the classroom and in the world. I work with new teachers at my school and enjoy the fresh ideas they bring to education. I am a mother of 2 children and wife of a musician. We love to travel, play games, watch movies, and spend a lot of time with our church family.
Timestamps:
Prioritizing Self Care
Nicole (7:04), Morgan (11:22), Kayli (18:43)
Confidently Setting Boundaries
Kayli (24:50), Nicole (30:18), Morgan (39:23)
Taking Care of Your Emotional Health and Physical Health
Nicole (48:28), Morgan (56:13), Kayli (1:01:31)
5 Activities That Nourish You
Nicole (1:05:48), Kayli (1:12:20), Morgan (1:17:47)
5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months
Nicole (1:09:09), Kayli (1:16:20), Morgan (1:21:04)
Song Featured: Scars to Your Beautiful by Alessia Cara