Today, we’d like to introduce you to Jackie Boyd.
Hi Jackie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I started as an educator immediately after finishing my master’s degree at the University of Texas.
My passion has always been working with children who have exceptional needs. When I had my oldest son, I was a paraprofessional at Texas School for the Deaf before moving to teach high school students who were Deaf with additional special needs in Houston.
I just finished my 17th year as an educator, and I love what I do. I have had two additional kids, a daughter, and a son. Being a working mom is not always easy, but it genuinely is the best job in the world.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
On November 24, 2010, I thought my world was over. On that day, at 28 weeks pregnant, I lost my husband and son in one tragic event. I was very blessed to have been surrounded by the love and support of my family and friends.
Seven weeks later, my amazing daughter was born. Despite being five weeks early, she was extremely healthy. She helped me find strength within myself that I would have never believed possible. I had to be strong for HER. At first, she seemed to be hitting all of her developmental milestones on time, if not early. At three years old, she would throw her arms up in the air and announce, “This is exasperating!” At the same time, something was not quite right. She threw tantrums that would last hours. She would self-injure. Unexpected changes in routine sent her into a tailspin.
Being a Special Educator, I did the only thing I knew to do… I tried every intervention I had in my bag of tricks. I wrote a behavior intervention plan and collected data. Yet, somehow, I missed a diagnosis that now seems so obvious. It was not until my daughter was in second grade that her doctor put the pieces together and realized she had Autism. Suddenly, things made sense.
Now, my daughter is in middle school. That is an age that comes with unique challenges for any child, whether they are neurotypical or not. She is a big sister to a brother who absolutely adores her. She is a talented graphics editor, an amazing musician, and a genuinely kind being. She advocates unapologetically for others. I could not be any prouder of her. Yes, she has autism, but autism does not define her.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
On top of being the mom to my incredibly amazing children, I am the Director of the Brazoria-Fort Bend Regional Day School Program for the Deaf in Fort Bend ISD. Our program provides services to students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing in eleven school districts.
It is a unique scenario to be a Special Education Administrator and to have two children of my own who are served under the Special Education umbrella, but it is empowering. I have a deep understanding and empathy for what the parents of our students are experiencing, which sets me apart from others in my role. I am proud of how both our district and our program fight for our students because I have seen it from both sides. In life, it feels like I wear two hats… my “mom” hat and my “Director” hat.
I think I experience the same internal struggle that all working moms experience… am I wearing both hats well? Am I wearing them equally? Am I enough? I honestly do not have the answers to those questions. I do know that I am well supported in wearing my hats. I also know that I am empowered in my quest to ensure that other working moms who work for our program can wear their hats well, and I am proud of that.
Another thing that sets me apart from others in my field is my ability to find joy in any situation. Whether it is in my personal life or my professional life, I’m a firm believer in finding the fun in what I am doing. This could mean anything from wearing a crazy costume to work on Halloween to making my family take painfully embarrassing Christmas photos… it does not matter. Those giggles go a long way in making life more interesting.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I take great strength in a quote by Maya Angelou: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” Looking back at raising my kids, there is so much I wish I could have done better. There is no instruction manual for being a working mom, for autism or going through life.
You have to live your life to the fullest and with integrity, and when you know you can do better, do it. Whatever you do, do not get caught in remorse for things you cannot change, and know that you are enough. That is the best advice I can give to anyone in a similar scenario to my own.
