D’Essence Grant shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
D’Essence, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I’m wandering with intention. I’m gathering experiences, insights, and strength that ultimately become part of my path. I trust that even the detours and pauses are shaping me, preparing me for what I’m being called to step into next.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is D’Essence Grant, and I’m the founder of inTEACHional, a brand dedicated to nurturing the mental, emotional, and overall well-being of educators. After years of working in schools and supporting teachers, I saw firsthand how often educators give endlessly to others while putting their own health and joy on the backburner. That inspired me to create a space where teachers can access coaching, professional development, and wellness tools that help them not just survive the profession, but truly thrive in it.
What makes inTEACHional unique is that it blends research-based strategies with real-world educator experience—I understand the classroom struggles because I’ve lived them. Through individual and group wellness coaching, consulting with schools to help transform culture, and resources like The inTEACHional Journal: A 30-Day Affirmation and Reflection Journey, I aim to give educators both the permission and the tools to prioritize themselves.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about hosting events tailored specifically for educators to build community, connection, and shared healing. My story is about resilience, purpose, and helping educators see that their well-being is not optional—it’s essential.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that has served its purpose and now must be released is the part that equated my worth with my work. For so long, I measured my value by how much I produced, how many people I supported, or how well I performed in my role. When I was unexpectedly let go from a position I poured myself into, it shook me. At first, I felt like I had lost not just a job, but a piece of my identity.
But that moment also gave me clarity—it showed me that my worth was never tied to a title or a workload. It was a painful but necessary lesson. Releasing that old belief has allowed me to step into a new chapter where my value comes from who I am, not just what I do. Now, I’m learning to honor rest, purpose, and alignment just as much as achievement.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes—honestly, I’m in that season right now. Building my brand has come with hearing more “no’s” than “yes’s,” and there are days when the lack of consistent income feels heavy. It would be easy to give up, but I know I can’t. I remind myself that what I’m building isn’t just for me—it’s for the educators I’m called to serve.
I believe my breakthrough is tied to others’ freedom. If I stop, the teachers who need community, healing, and permission to care for themselves might not get the support they deserve. That truth keeps me going on the hard days. I hold on to faith, resilience, and the vision that this work is bigger than me—it’s an assignment. I trust that on the other side of this season, the doors I’ve been knocking on will open, the “yes’s” will come, and the impact I dream of will begin to ripple through the lives of countless educators.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
Mental health right now is full of buzzwords, and it’s easy to get caught up in trends that sound good but don’t create lasting change. For me, the difference between a fad and a foundational shift comes down to sustainability. Fads feel shiny and quick—they give momentary relief but don’t address the deeper needs of educators. Foundational shifts, on the other hand, create systems, practices, and mindsets that allow people to thrive long-term.
That’s exactly what I’m building with inTEACHional. I don’t just want to hand educators a new “self-care checklist” or trendy phrase. I want to equip them with coaching, resources like The inTEACHional Journal, and school-wide cultural shifts that nurture their mental, emotional, and overall well-being. Foundational change means creating environments where educators can be grounded, balanced, and supported—not just for a season, but for the life of their careers.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope the story people tell about me is that despite everything I faced, I chose to rise with love, joy, and peace. That my life was proof you can come from hard places, walk through difficult seasons, and still create something whole, beautiful, and lasting. More than anything, I want people to say I lived with intention, that I poured into others so they could see their own strength, and that my journey lit a path for freedom.
And when my son, Ian, who’s almost sixteen now, looks back on my life, I hope he sees a mother who never stopped believing—in God, in love, in possibility, and in him. That he carries with him the truth that resilience runs in his veins and that joy, no matter the circumstance, is always within reach.
I want to create something that lasts longer than my time here on Earth. Through inTEACHional, my legacy will live on in the shifts I help bring to education—the culture, the wellness, and the spaces that allow educators to thrive. The work is bigger than me; it’s about building a foundation that supports generations of teachers and, ultimately, the students whose lives they touch.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.inteachional.com
- Instagram: @inteachional
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dessencegrant
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inTEACHional/
