We’re looking forward to introducing you to Cheryl Williams. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Cheryl, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
On a typical week day, I get up early to workout or do a stretch and meditation. Then get ready for school. I try to get to school a little bit early to be prepared for my day. I teach full-time at the Adult Transition Program for special needs adults ages 18-22 for the Oceanside Unified School District. We do vocational, life skills, and post secondary instruction in the classroom and out in the for community based instruction within our local communities. Once my school day ends, I head home and get updated with my nonprofit, The Shine Project Foundation. If I can, I take a yoga class, walk, or do a fitness class in the afternoon. I love to cook so I’ll make something yummy for me and my husband for dinner. Then I head to bed and I do it all over again every week day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, my name is Cheryl Williams, and I am an Education Specialist for the Oceanside Unified School District. I have been teaching special education for the last 25 years and I currently teach the Adult Transition Program for special needs adults. I also am the Cofounder and Executive Director of the Shine Project Foundation. Our mission is to bridge the gap between special needs families and their communities by partnering with local businesses and organization to provide free enrichment and inclusive events. We also provide free Caring for the Caregivers wellness events. This is our 10th anniversary hosting this events. From our very 1st event in Playa Avellanas, Costa Rica to North County Coastal San Diego to Virginia Beach, Virginia, we have had the pleasure of helping thousands of special needs families and many local communities shine though our events!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I would have to say working as a special education teacher with students that have moderate to severe disabilities has really shaped how I see the world because it taught me to be very present, have compassion, empathy, and gave me a purpose to find a way that I could create change for the better in the lives of the students I taught and their families. It wasn’t a particular moment but a series of moments to connect with each of my students and their families. Just honoring each individual student as they are and helping them be the best they can be to thrive and shine really filled my soul.
When did you last change your mind about something important?
The last time I changed my mind about something important was just recently. Our family suffered a terrible loss of my mother in law, my husband’s mom last winter in a tragic hit and run and most recently finding out my mom has cancer and has been undergoing chemotherapy with a kidney surgery awaiting. After the loss of my mother in law, I grieved but continued to teach and do our Shine event well into the new year. Here I am now realizing that I need to take care of my wellbeing and focus on my own healing as well as prioritize my family as we have entered a new transition in life. With that being said, I choose to cancel all remaining Shine family events and fundraiser for the reminder of the year. That was a hard decision but it was an important decision that had to be made in order for me to be ok. Like I tell our Caregivers, we need to take care of ourselves first before we can take care of others and this time it is my turn.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Community. Bringing people together, making them feel important, valued, and loved is something that I feel very strong about and think that my friends would say that really matters to me. Being raised as a first generation Filipino, I grew up with my immigrant parents creating their own community in the United States and building strong connections with family and friends to instill strong values, preserve my heritage, and build integrity and humility. These values are a huge part of my life and I feel that without community we cannot thrive.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most a peace in nature especially at the beach. Sitting with friends, or with husband, or even just by myself staring into the sunset or at the waves really puts me at ease and brings such peace to my soul. Taking in all the 5 senses of that moment, to breathe, to give gratitude for the moment and life to God and myself for just doing my best each day, and to quiet my mind and just truly be present makes me feel most at peace.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theshinprojectfoundation.org
- Instagram: @theshineprojectfoundation
- Facebook: The Shine Project Foundation
- Youtube: The Shine Project Foundation
