Bio
I changed my first diapers and rocked my baby brother to sleep when I was 11 years old. I couldn’t believe how quickly he grew and learned! It was fascinating to watch him develop from a helpless infant into a walking/talking person in just two years.
When I went to college at University of Illinois I studied everything I could about infant and child development and got a degree in psychology with distinction. I got to work in the labs of renown psychologists Rene Baillargeon and Judy DeLoache. My original plan was to continue in psychology and get a PhD, but after spending a couple of semesters in the lab working on my own unique research, I realized that I’m WAY too much of a people person to be stuck in a lab all day. I needed more personal interaction!
Montessori
So, I went to work at Montessori schools. I LOVED working with young people in an environment so well suited to their needs. I learned so much from the Montessori philosophy about how to fully respect young people. And I was shocked that everything I had learned about how to help a young person’s brain develop, was already integrated into the Montessori educational system!
After working at schools for several years, I decided to become a nanny where I continued to hone my skills at providing clear boundaries, allowing children lots of freedom, and enjoying my time with them immensely. As a nanny I often coached and counseled the parents I worked for.
Personal Growth
At this point I realized that everything I’d been learning about was really an attempt to prepare myself for parenthood. I wanted to be the best parent and person I could possibly be. So I began my own journey of personal growth and transformation. My dearest friends and I began to explore “authentic relating” and created some of the deepest connections I’ve ever experienced.
Through this work I realized that I had been hiding from “negative” or darker emotions and I learned to embrace this part of my psyche and allow my emotions to flow more freely.
Soon my friends and I were doing weekend workshops in San Francisco about authentic relating and spreading the word about deep connection far and wide on the web. I became a dating and relationship coach and later expanded my coaching to life and parent coaching too. In a decade I supported over a thousand men through my work with the Authentic Man Program and AMP Coaching.
Creating my own family
I met my wonderful husband at a mutual friend’s wedding in 2006, and a year later I moved to Bend, OR. We were married in 2009. Our daughter was born the following year and our son arrived on our fifth anniversary!
Being a parent has turned my world upside down in such a great way. My priorities got REALLY clear all of a sudden and I knew that being the best mom and wife I can possibly be is absolutely my #1 priority.
Business
But I’m also an entrepreneur at heart, so while I’m the business manager at my husband’s chiropractic office, I also do my coaching, consulting, blogging, and in 2013 I decided to start a Montessori charter school here in Bend, OR. It was an incredible challenge and there were times I wondered if it would really happen, but after many many volunteer hours, tons of fundraising, and a strong determination to succeed, we finally opened our doors in 2017. My daughter was able to attend 2nd grade in the Montessori classroom that I had envisioned for her and both of my kids will be able to go to a quality tuition free Montessori school all the way through middle school!
I want to live in a world where children are honored, respected and celebrated. Helping parents learn to relax and provide empathy in the face of their children’s tantrums is a true joy. Supporting families to create peace in their hearts and in their homes is sacred work. And I am honored to support individuals and organizations to be their absolute best.
Will you join me?
Shelly Birger Phillips M.A.