Today we’d like to introduce you to Jules Hampton.
Jules, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am originally from Chicago-Northwest Indiana where I grew up with a twin brother. Growing up, I used to play school by myself where I was the principal, teacher, parent, counselor, and student. When my twin and other black and brown students’ learning style was not fully supported in the education system drove my reason to pursue math education and support students in college academic advising. I graduated from Indiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a minor in psychology, where I was initiated into Indiana State University Alpha Zeta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. in the Spring of 2013.
Later I obtained two graduate degrees: a Master of Science in College Student Personnel Administration from Illinois State University (2016) and a Master of Arts in Teaching in Adolescent Secondary Math 7 -12 from Relay Graduate School of NYC (2020). I have been in education for 6 years where my first teaching job, I taught public high school math as a traveling teacher in the district and coached basketball and track & field at my alma mater, Gavit High School in Hammond IN through AmeriCorps with Teacher for America.
In 2018, I moved to Brooklyn NY to continue my path in education with public charter schools where I learned about the mechanics of what creates strong results from good teaching. In 2019, I started the Glow Up Foundation in Brooklyn NY geared towards helping students with academic tutoring and executive functioning support in light of the pandemic where I was able to serve students throughout New York City. Since being in education, I realized I started to develop anxiety and depression symptoms from not pressing pause. I had moved to several college towns, back to Chicago-Northwest Indiana, and now had transitioned to New York navigating a whole new environment with a small support system. Over time, my mental health started to evolve when I was on medication, which led to me losing my job, losing motivation for what my impact/role would be in education, and relationships suffered, and surrendering my apartment after being homeless for 6 months. Between this and now the pandemic, I needed to reflect to see what I wanted to be true for myself instead of going along with the status quo and mundane day-to-day life.
In April 2020, I took a leap of faith and transitioned out of New York into the unknown. Throughout this time, I was still having anxiety and depression waves, which has led me to miss out on many opportunities such as pursuing my enrollment in Columbia University Teachers College, NYU Songwriters Workshop as an auditor, and serving with Peace Corps in Tanzania Africa. Yes, I was accepted to all of these, but my thoughts of myself lacking purpose and above all fear, which means false evidence appearing real, was at the forefront. Often, I reflect on missed opportunities, but I believe what is for me will not pass me by and there are life lessons to still be learned.
After 3 years, The Glow Up Foundation is still a part of me and is now located in Houston TX providing academic tutoring/effective functioning support, but it is much more than after self-reflecting. My ultimate goal is to focus on mind, body, and soul and help people reach the best version of themselves. Approaching this interview, I had this notion that everything has to be “put together”, but I am a believer that broken crayons still color and to always be the light in the darkness, then your gifts will continue to make room for you. I am a creative director, I am a songwriter. I am a future New York Times Bestseller. I am the visions and dreams I see for myself – if I can envision them then I came to be them. The organization is still evolving as you journey through this time with me, I want to serve as a vessel for knowing we are all imperfectly perfect and I want to show people my imperfections through this process because that’s what makes us all unique, and an angel to someone.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I have found that moving away from home is challenging by forcing you to experience being alone, recognize things that you do naturally, and make changes to be your best self. Growing up I always used to hear, “If it was easy, then everybody would be doing it” when I say that in regards to the trials and growing pains you experience with taking any sort of risks moving, changing jobs, and even with investing. Throughout this time, I have experienced some hardships such as losing my job during the pandemic and surrendering my apartment in New York, which led me to be homeless and sleeping on a couch to coach to navigate the newness of this next chapter. I am realizing this is all a test in preparation for what’s to come in the future.
My faith has been a driving force to relocating to Texas with my sister, who is also an educator. During this time, I have lost two family members on one side of my family, had a dad who beat cancer and navigate what it means to be cozy in my own skin with this new normal. However, through these times, this was the most peace I have had to be able to be in a flow state with life and serenity over what I can change and let go of what I cannot change. The power of faith!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a change agent!!! My specialty is that I truly care about humanity and the light in everyone. In regards to day-to-day, I have experience coaching across all core content classes including enrichment courses (music, arts, dancing, theatre, and many more), so this is the challenging and fun part to see how this shows up based on the teacher’s personality mixed with content and school’s vision of teaching. I am most proud of setting the pace and building strong systems of instructional coaching at this institution from the ground up. This is important to me more about my communication skills, ability to build relationships with partners, and stretching me to go further in creative thought and support for the teachers.
Currently, I serve as the Founding Instructional Coordinator and AP Testing Coordinator with Cristo Rey Jesuit private school in South Houston. My coaching load is mentoring and managing 10 novice teachers, 0-2 years of classroom experience, on best teaching practices, culturally responsive pedagogy, and how to create thoughts leaders and critical thinkers inside and outside the classroom. I 2023, I am looking to expand mentoring to start a cohort of youth that is providing them with genuine love, so they are not navigating mental health and what it means to create meaning from life and to emerging adults who need support through college and career readiness and finding their passion and purpose. One day I hope to step into educational consulting: coaching and mentoring to broaden my impact on more communities.
What does success mean to you?
“Success is a story” This was a quote I came up with in high school and my Twitter handle back in 2009 sometime. At each chapter in my life, standards and priorities have changed, relationships have settled or evolved, dreams have been my goals and some goals have become my dream.
To give me a mental break, sometimes success is waking up and going to bed at the end of the day with a heart full of gratitude and the mindset that I made it through the day. Success for me right now is stability financially, emotionally, physically, and mentally, so this upcoming year will continue to work on those areas and be transparent. We sometimes see it as unattainable, but life is a journey, not a destination, so that is how I define it nowadays!
Pricing:
- Elementary Tutoring is $20 per hour
- Middle School Tutoring $30 per hour
- High School Tutoring is $40 per hour
- Mentoring: FREE
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/juleschampton
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR5AW6WQrxcSPAu9FiA9VSg
- Other: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScACu_wwaxgfcJReoVFzEKBG1d9EJ06qoBHlXVtR2rP22X6vQ/viewform
Image Credits
J. Elite Shots
