Today we’d like to introduce you to Bethany Custard.
Hi Bethany, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
As a fifth-generation Houstonian, I always wanted to serve my city. I was homeschooled throughout most of my beginning education, with small spurts of public education in middle school and eventually my senior year of high school. Being the eldest of four girls to a single mother, I was accustomed to serving young children, this is where I found my calling. After working and going to school full time, I received my Associate’s Degree in Teaching at San Jacinto Community College and transferred to the University of Houston, where I completed my Undergraduate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
I then began teaching at Kate Bell Elementary in the Houston Independent School District while also attending Graduate school at the University of Houston. I completed my Master’s Degree with honors in Curriculum and Instruction, specializing in Early Childhood Education. After teaching for ten years, I wanted to pursue a deeper understanding of education from a statewide scope. I taught in Austin for three years before landing a job at the New Mexico Public Education Department. I served for two years as a Literacy Specialist; my role was to provide statewide support to all school districts that had received federal funding for literacy development and family engagement.
In 2022 I returned back to Houston, where I decided that I wanted to find a way to serve families and communities on a broader scope, thus, the development of my company, Third Coast Knowledge.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing worth doing is easy. There have been many challenges along the way, including single motherhood, COVID challenges, and maintaining a focus on the final goal: serving families in the best way. However, one of the most difficult struggles I have experienced so far is the transition out of the classroom and into a home office. Any teacher can tell you that the best moments in your career are when you see a student succeed. When you aren’t in the classroom on a daily basis, personal, intrinsic motivation can be difficult to maintain. However, I know that stepping out of my comfort zone is the best way to not only attempt success but it also challenges you on a personal and spiritual level.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
Third Coast Knowledge is a Houston-based consulting company that provides districts, businesses, and state education offices with the hands-on knowledge that is developed by the hard work of Third Coast teachers. We are known for providing support in areas such as:
– Digital Equity
– Cultural and language preservation
– Grant writing and applications
– Software sales and support
– Accountability and sustainability within educational grant lifetimes
– Communities of Practice developments and training
Something that sets Third Coast Knowledge apart from other consulting companies is that our knowledge is reflected in our location. The educational power of teachers and specialists within the Third Coast region is outstanding; we bring the best to you.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
It can be very overwhelming when turning a dream into a reality. There can be a lot of mental roadblocks that we naturally create on our own. Going through the list of steps to create a business can seem daunting; my advice would be to make a vision board of what you want to achieve and what you want your business to look like. Then make a list of what needs to be done and try to complete one task every few days.
Looking back, I wish I had known that I could already be celebrating my upcoming accomplishment instead of being fearful of the process. I encourage others in my position to be sharing your plan as it develops. This will help you to design your business while also supporting yourself along the way.
Image Credits
Winston O’neal
