Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Scott.
Hi Rachel, 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 began mentoring teen girls when I worked a middle school science teacher. It started with just listening to them talk while they ate lunch ion my classroom each day. The more I heard their stories, the more I got concerned about so many of them going through life with any guidance… they just seemed disconnected. I wondered what it would be like if I could support their growth and development in some meaningful way. I chose to meet with the girls in a pretty informal way, just sharing, eating together and being a sounding board for “girl talk.” In 2013, the pilot version of the Treasured curriculum, called “Personal Development for Teen Girls,” was implemented via a special elective course offered at Millennium Middle School for 20 weeks (January- May 2013). Of the numerous female 7th and 8th-grade students who applied for the course, 21 were selected for participation.
The young women were personally mentored by Rachel C. Scott. Each girl’s mentoring journey was documented in her personal portfolio. Participants’ grades and behavior records were also monitored over the 20-week period. Tremendous personal growth was observed in most of the participants.The program culminated in a Recognition Ceremony where participants and their families were honored for their hard work and dedication to the mentoring and personal development process.In 2013, the program was awarded a grant from the Broward Education Foundation in recognition of its innovative implementation. In 2013-2014, the program ran again for the full academic year with 19 participants.In 2014, I published the Treasured: Teaching Girls mentoring and leadership development curriculum, which I have been using with schools and church groups for mentoring events, small groups and summer camp programs since.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Treasured has always been a labor of love, but its journey hasn’t always been smooth. There were long stretches of time when my efforts to promote the program and drum up interest in my curriculum materials were met with disappointment. Being a mom, wife and full-time educator, it was (and still is) hard to find the time to market the Treasured products and build partnerships with service providers for my target demographic. Another obstacle I have face with Treasured is getting people’s buy-in. The curriculum materials are faith-based and sometimes, the assumption is that faith-based content is shallow or inadequately researched. It can be difficult to attract partners and customers when battling those assumptions.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a School Principal and Professional Consultant. I launched RCS Consulting Services, LLC in 2019 as a platform which combined my passion for mentoring, my skills as an educator and administrator and my experience with everything from writing lesson plans to writing business plans. My business is an umbrella and vehicle for my mentoring work, educational consulting and small business support services. The words that best describe my brand are classy, elegant and professional.
I am very proud that my clients have consistently stated that their experience with me was very professional, that they got the product or service they paid for and that they enjoyed working with me. I endeavor to leave a very tangible, unmistakable signature on any project I have the honor of engaging with. Some of my clients need a very simple, basic need met, such as a resume update or a professional cover letter. Some need an intensive mentoring experience for at-risk teen girls. Others need someone who can organize disconnected business practices and procedures into a seamless, productive workflow. Others may need some creative support for developing their social media content. I work very intentionally with every client I partner with to ensure that the end product or service reflects not only what they want professionally but also who they are and how they desire to be reflected in the product or service we develop and implement together.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
In seeking out a mentor, it is important to hone in where one wants to be in the future. You don’t have to have all the answers. It may be helpful just to be able to identify what you know you don’t want to do or be! Then look for folks who are are doing art you want to do. Work hard at everything you do. Give your best every time, whether the task, project or opportunity for exposure is big or small. Your work follows you. Your ethics tell your story before you enter any room. Your future 2o years from now is being shaped by the way you invest yourself right now. Treat people with value and demonstrate respect for people’s time and expertise. The “piece of advice” or “just a minute of time” you want from a potential mentor is a result of years of their trial and error, their failures and successes, their blood, sweat and tears. Their achievement and influence didn’t come without a price. Don’t expect something for nothing. Be gracious. Don’t waste time. Get around people who know more than you and be intentional about learning.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@rachelcscott.com
- Website: rachelcscott.com
- Instagram: @love.rachelscott; @sheistreasured_
- Facebook: Facebook.com/askrachelscott; Facebook.com/treasured
- Twitter: @loverachelscott; @sheistreasured
- Other: treasured-one.com
Image Credits:
Images of Rachel – Maria Leon
