Interview with Jennifer Geigel - Autism Advocate with 24 years of teaching experience.

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Show notes:
Jennifer's Unique Aspect:

• Jennifer reveals an intriguing fact about herself – she manages eighteen streams of income and was able to retire her husband at the age of 49, sparking curiosity about her journey.

Jennifer's Love for Sunflowers:

• Jennifer's deep affection for sunflowers is uncovered, and she describes how sunflowers symbolize happiness, growth, and positivity in her life.
• Valerie and Jennifer bond over their shared love for sunflowers, discussing the cheerful and inspiring nature of these vibrant flowers.

Jennifer's Journey as a Special Needs Mom:

• Jennifer delves into her journey as a mother to a child with special needs, centering on her daughter Emilie's autism diagnosis at just 20 months old.
• She opens up about the initial challenges and emotions that accompanied Emilie's diagnosis, emphasizing the desire for a perfect family.

Believing in Progress and Never Giving Up:

• Jennifer shares invaluable advice for parents, highlighting the significance of trusting one's instincts and never giving up on a child's potential.
• Emilie's remarkable progress, despite early doubts, is celebrated, including her academic achievements, independence, and scholarships for college.

Career Shift to Special Education:

• Jennifer recounts her transition into a career in special education, emphasizing her newfound passion for teaching autistic children.
• Her journey into teaching high-functioning autistic students and the reward she finds in their progress is detailed.

Balancing Work and Home Life:

• Jennifer reflects on the challenges of balancing her role as a special education teacher and her responsibilities at home, particularly when Emilie was younger.

Jennifer's Self-Care Practices:

• Jennifer discusses her self-care routines, including her love for art, painting, and creating educational materials.
• Her enthusiasm for these activities shines through as she emphasizes their importance in maintaining her well-being.

Words of Wisdom for Special Needs Parents:

• Jennifer offers pearls of wisdom for parents on similar journeys, encouraging them to seek out support groups and connect with others who share their experiences.

Connecting with Jennifer:

• Jennifer shares information about her daughter Emilie's Facebook page and YouTube channel, "Emilie and the Autism Journey."
• She mentions her networking room on Clubhouse and a Facebook group called "Networking Room by Sunflowers and the Kitchen Sink," inviting listeners to connect with her.

Jennifer Geigel is a teacher and mother from Ontario Canada. She is an autism advocate with over 24 years teaching, 10 of which as an autism special education teacher. Her daughter Emilie has inspired her to work with the autism community. She also helps people of all ages and abilities create multiple streams of income in pursuit of independence. This includes special needs and autistic teens and adults. Jennifer is the author of many math workbooks for children but also 90 Days of Planting Seeds: a Journal for Small Business Owners. Please visit jennifergeigel.com to learn more! 


Music Acknowledgement: Audio Coffee Denys Kyshchuk

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