We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Leslie Catlett a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Leslie, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My resilience is a reflection of my late grandmother. She was a true example of dignity and strength. My grandmother’s resiliency was a deep-seated faith and acknowledgment of how to live and have faith, even in the hard times. She loved her family deeply and passed down the ability to stay self-assured and diligent at any stage of life. Life challenges and adversities teach lessons and stimulate growth. I learned how to persist and persevere, as my grandmother gracefully demonstrated.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
The Penmanship Lab offers handwriting and fine motor coaching for students grades K-5. I provide high-quality instruction/coaching and tools to improve legibility while maintaining a nurturing and fun format.
What sets me apart from others; is that I meet the students where they are. I determine their current; skill set and develop an action plan specific to their needs. I am most proud of the handwriting proficiency and the confidence my students obtain after working with me. I often have students who avoid writing tasks due to: 1) a lack of confidence, 2) mechanics- a. visual processing (processing what they see and copying it), b. poor hand or grip strength, c. posture/core strength. The quest for neater handwriting need not be complicated. Perfection is not the goal. The goal is for handwriting to be a natural and automatic skill. My instruction is fun and focuses on the components of writing (e.g., letter formations, sizing, and placement). Positive- feedback aids in student engagement. Thus, students become less reluctant to write and gain pride; in their writing. While society is technologically driven, handwriting remains a vital skill.
I am a newly approved Supplemental Special Services Provider endorsed by the Texas Education Agency. Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES) provides a $1,500 one-time online grant for eligible parents/caregivers of eligible students served by special education. Eligible students can use the grant towards educational resources, technologies, and services such as tutoring and therapy. SSES students and their families can now utilize their grant monies towards my services.
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?
The three most impactful qualities; in my entrepreneurial journey were adaptability, persistence, and hard work. I learned early on- that what you set out to do will not always work out as planned. You have to be willing to adapt and change to be successful. Rejection will be par for the course. Be persistent in not giving up through the most challenging times. Running a small business is difficult. Most days will require you to work longer than 8 hours, you will experience bouts of self-doubt and uncertainty, and failure is a part of learning and growth. The willingness to adapt, be persistent, and work hard will improve your odds of success. Be mindful that initial success or failure is not a stopping point. To foster your success, continue to grow and learn industry trends, stay focused, study consumer preferences/needs, and develop endurance for risk.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I would be interested- in partnering or collaborating with local parents, educators, OTs, daycares, PTAs, and homeschool co-ops/groups that align with my passion. If you would like to explore a partnership or collaboration, please send an email (thepenmanshiplab@gmail.com) or call (614-379-3027).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thepenmanshiplab.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_penmanship_lab/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepenmanshiplab
- Other: https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x883861428d0bb1d5:0xdb480b9f6648d359?source=g.page.m.ad._
Image Credits
Headshot: Aaron Taylor Photography
