We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amber Campbell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Amber, thank you for joining us today and sharing your experiences and acquired wisdom with us. Burnout is a huge topic these days and so we’d love to kick things off by discussing your thoughts on overcoming or avoiding burnout
Rewritten:
From a cultural perspective, I have noticed that women, particularly African American women, often have a tendency to prioritize taking care of others over themselves. I used to fall into this category, constantly striving to solve problems, help everyone, and stretching myself thin until I inevitably reached a breaking point. It wasn’t until I had a heartfelt conversation with my older sister that I realized the importance of setting boundaries.
One of my favorite sayings is “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” I came to understand that I needed to prioritize self-care and fill my own cup before tending to others. This shift in mindset allowed me to stop overextending myself and embrace the power of saying no. I learned that setting boundaries does not make me a bad person; it is necessary for my own well-being.
Letting go of the guilt that I used to feel about not being able to help everyone while sacrificing my own happiness was liberating. By taking care of myself first, I am now able to show up authentically and whole in my relationships and business partnerships. This new approach has led to better decision-making, as I am operating from a place of peace rather than chaos and worry. Most importantly, I have made it a priority to prevent burnout by consistently taking care of myself.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Rewritten:
I have always had a passion for education, which led me to start my own mobile tutoring company called Acadamic K-12 Tutoring (now Acadamic K-12 Solutions) in 2015. I would travel to different homes within the DMV area to provide in-person tutoring for students in grades K-12. Over the years, my company has expanded to offer virtual services, homeschool support, professional development, and summer camps. Our latest endeavor is an After School program that follows the same philosophy as my company.
My teaching philosophy is inspired by a quote from Ignacio “Nacho” Estrada: “If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.” What I find most fulfilling about my work is the opportunity to build student confidence and foster genuine connections. I believe in creating a learning environment that engages students and nurtures their love for learning. Seeing the excitement on my clients’ faces when they attend a session or hearing about their progress in school because of the strategies they learn through my program is truly rewarding. There is nothing quite like it!
I have been in this field for over 10 years now, and I still feel overwhelmed with pure joy. Knowing that by building relationships, teaching to the whole individual, and embracing the value of mistakes, I can bring about measurable success and help bridge the learning gap that exists in schools today.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, I believe that problem solving, reflection, and perspective are three of the most valuable qualities I possess. These qualities have been instrumental in helping me approach challenges with a solutions-oriented mindset. When confronted with a problem, my first step is to analyze it from the perspective of all parties involved. I ask important questions to gain a comprehensive understanding of the root cause and who is affected, as well as why it is significant. By gaining that broader perspective, I am better equipped to reflect on past attempts to address the issue and analyze their effectiveness. This process of reflection leads to the development of feasible solutions that benefit everyone involved.
If I were to offer advice to those who are at the early stages of their journey and looking to develop or improve these qualities, I would emphasize the importance of listening. Truly listening allows you to gather all the necessary information and perspectives before taking action. Additionally, taking time for self-reflection and analysis is crucial in order to make well-informed decisions. Acting without understanding the full picture often leads to revisiting the same scenarios repeatedly. Therefore, patience and thorough examination are key to finding long-lasting and effective solutions.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Partnerships play a crucial role in the success of any business, particularly for smaller ventures. In my case, I am actively seeking to collaborate with local school systems with the aim of bridging the achievement gap in education. I truly believe that in order to bring about meaningful change, we must be willing to challenge the status quo and reimagine what education looks like in the United States.
My philosophy is rooted in three key pillars: Exposure, Experience, and Communication. By providing guided exposure to diverse ideas, experiences, and perspectives, students are able to broaden their horizons and gain a deeper understanding of the world around them. Furthermore, through hands-on experiences and interactive learning opportunities, students can actively engage with the subject matter and develop practical skills. Finally, effective communication is essential in fostering deeper connections and strengthening the learning process. By emphasizing these pillars, we can empower students to synthesize information, analyze concepts critically, and apply their knowledge in real-world situations.
Through partnerships with school systems, we can work together to create an educational landscape that nurtures well-rounded learners who are fully equipped to thrive in an ever-changing world. Together, we can challenge traditional approaches and develop innovative strategies that promote student success and close the achievement gap.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.acadamick12.com
- Instagram: @acadamick12
- Twitter: @acadamick12
Image Credits
@njones_photography
