Hi, I’m Jessica.
You may know me as the face behind Tech and Teachability, where I’ve shared teacher tech tips and classroom tools for years. But what you might not know is that my journey hasn’t just been about tech; it’s been about learning how to take care of myself while taking care of everyone else.
This is the real story behind the posts, the plans, and the projects and how I got here.
👩👧 Early Days: Single Mom at 18
I had my daughter, Carly, when I was just 18. I found out I was pregnant while working my first retail job in Alexandria, LA (after fainting on my first day 🙃).
At the time, I thought my life was over. I was scared I’d be stuck in a dead-end town, with no future.
But life had other plans. I graduated in the top 10% of my high school class, had Carly in October 2000, and started college that same year while still pregnant.
🍜 Struggles & Small Wins
Life was messy: ramen dinners, moving apartments, surviving paycheck to paycheck. But I kept going.
I switched from nursing to general studies and earned my bachelor’s in 2005.
Got my teaching certificate in 2010.
Earned my master’s in Educational Technology and Leadership in 2013.
I taught everything from first grade to middle school, all while being a single mom. Carly and I really grew up together. But for a long time, my health and self-care were on the back burner.
🚗 The Big Move
In 2013, I moved us to Baton Rouge because I wanted Carly to have opportunities I didn’t. She was in middle school and not thrilled about leaving, but now, she’s grateful I made that leap.
Today, she’s 25, working on her own master’s degree. I couldn’t be prouder.
⚖️ Hitting My Breaking Point
By 2017, I had reached my highest weight ever: 165 lbs. I was uncomfortable in my own skin. Doctor visits came with blood pressure warnings and “we need to talk about your numbers.”
I tried every diet - Whole30, keto, low-carb, you name it - but nothing stuck.
Then the pandemic hit, and for the first time, I decided to focus on small, sustainable habits instead of extremes.
💪 The Shift
I started moving my body regularly. I started short home workouts, took walks, worked on stretching, anything that made me feel better.
I learned about nutrition and balance instead of chasing quick fixes.
I drank more water, made peace with my body, and gave myself permission to rest.
My weight came down, but more importantly, my energy, mood, and confidence came up.
And while I’ve had my ups and downs since then (because life happens), I’ve learned that wellness doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. It can be simple, doable, and dare I say, even fun.
💕 Why It Matters
My family history includes breast cancer in my mom, grandmother, aunt, and cousin. I’ve personally had atypical ductal hyperplasia removed and now do yearly mammograms and MRI mammograms.
For me, taking care of my health isn’t optional. I want to be mobile, happy, and present at 80 — not just existing, but living.
🏡 Life Now
Life still throws curveballs: washing machines break, AC units leak, and my house is rarely perfectly organized. But I’ve learned that thriving isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress.
That’s why I share things like:
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Tech tips that save time and sanity
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Simple wellness routines that anyone can afford (think: walking, meal prep, breathing breaks, better sleep)
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Real-life moments like Disney trips, foster pups, cookie baking, and messy grace in between
💬 Why I’m Sharing This
Because teachers (and moms, and humans in general) don’t need perfect plans or expensive systems; we need small resets that help us feel human again.
Tech helps us save time.
Wellness helps us make the most of it.
Put those together, and you’ve got a life that’s not just full but fulfilling.
My hope is that by sharing my story the messy parts and the meaningful ones plus the tools and habits that help me stay afloat, you’ll find something here that helps you, too.
👉 Stick around for practical tech hacks, wellness routines that don’t cost a fortune, and plenty of real-life moments along the way.
And I’d love to know: what’s one small thing that helps you feel more like yourself right now?
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