My Doctoral Journey

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13. 

1 dissertation
5 chapters
293 pages
76,552 words
4 chairs
2 methodologists

1 content specialist

I did it….I finished….I am finally DR. NATASHA RACHELL!!!!

This is going to be a VERY long post...you’ve been warned!

First, let me say that I'm not posting this in a bragging manner, but rather as a source of inspiration to those that are either considering starting their doctoral journey or are in the midst of their journey.  I pray that the following words give you a sense of peace that in no matter what may come your way, including the world stopping because of COVID-19, that you will be successful.

I’m going to start from the beginning and share with you how I got here because I think it’s all important to my story.

While I was enrolled in my undergraduate program, my major was Biology Pre-Med. Yes, at one point I wanted to be a doctor. Well, life happened. I got married and had my oldest son during my junior year in college. I was on the 5 year plan for graduation, however when the time to graduate and walk across the stage with my twin brother came (we went to the same college), I was still ONE class short of my requirements, a biochemistry class. My college allowed me to sign a piece of paper that stated that I could walk across the stage but would not officially graduate until I took and passed that course.

Well, after I walked across that stage, I was offered and accepted a position as a retail manager. I was already working at this particular retailer during college so it was seamless. Of course I said yes! I didn’t have to look for a job...it was a no brainer for me at that time. Well years and years went on, I was recruited to another retail company, and it was when I got pregnant with my youngest son that I realized I had to make a change. Working at nights, on the weekends, and on holidays was not conducive for my family anymore. Once I knew that my life needed to move in another direction, I registered for that one course and got it done….5 years after I walked across the stage. I resigned from my job 2 weeks after I returned from maternity leave and became a substitute teacher at a high school close to my house. I did that for 2 weeks when a permanent science teacher position became available. I applied for the position. My hiring principal sat across her desk from me during that interview and said, “I see something in you. I’m going to take a chance on you. You’re going to make me proud and you’re going to be my star baby.” That was back in September of 2004 and I’ve been educating, loving and nurturing students ever since. It was the absolute best decision of my life!

I had to gain my teaching certification through alternative means because my undergraduate degree wasn’t in education. That journey took me 2 years. As soon as it was over, I enrolled in a Master’s program that would have me earn my M.Ed. in Education Administration. That was another 2 years! As soon as that was over, I was going to enroll in a doctoral program. However, on the day that I was going to submit my application, a friend called me and said that he and 2 other colleagues were going to apply for an Educational Specialist’s program and they needed a 4th person for their cohort. It was a one year program and I said yes! So….one year later, I graduated with my Ed.S. in Curriculum Instruction! Whew!

And that brings us here….

I applied and was accepted into my Doctoral program, put my nose to the ground and got all of my course work complete. I attended 2 out of state residencies. And then I started writing. Because my program was an online program, a great deal of the staff are adjunct professors. I had a good deal of turnover on my committee as noted by the numbers at the top of this post. Each time a new committee member would join my committee, I had to meet their expectations (which were different from the person’s place they were taking) of my work. Time and time again, this process took place. I ended up with the best chair that I could have ever asked for. He pushed me. He held me accountable. And more importantly, and what I’m most grateful for, is that he advocated for me. He spoke up on my behalf numerous times to advance my work. Words cannot express my gratitude to him for just that alone.

In the midst of all of the years of writing, I got my oldest son through high school and then college. My youngest son got through middle school and into high school. I was a football mom, a baseball mom and a lacrosse mom. I switched jobs...twice! I reached out to an edtech friend asking how I could get more involved in that space and little did I know, that phone call would change my life! I was presented with NUMEROUS opportunities to travel all across this country training educators and working with them, learning creative ways to hone our practice. I was nominated for Our Voice Academy, a group of minority educators from around the country. I became a Google Certified Trainer and Google Innovator. I became a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert. I became a Flipgrid Ambassador. And earned a TON of other edtech certifications. I learned a LOT!!! And then, my twin brother was involved in a horrific car accident that left him in a coma for 10 days and then learning how to do life all over again. Someone VERY close to me was diagnosed, treated for, and beat breast cancer. These last 2 events put my life, and my dissertation, on hold for a couple of years. But I never quit...Based on all of my experiences above, I crafted a keynote speech titled, “Using your why to drive your intention.” I’ve delivered that keynote on numerous stages, to thousands of educators all across the country, hoping to leave an impact on their lives as an educator and an imprint on their hearts as a human. I co-authored a book called "The Microsoft Infused Classroom."  Annnd I still worked my 9-5 job!  I have no doubt that had I said “no” to all of the above that I could have completed this degree a lot sooner. But here’s the thing. This was MY journey! Sure, I wish that I would have completed it in a shorter amount of time, but I wouldn’t be where I am now, working with the people that I’m working with, having met everyone that I’ve met, or had the opportunities that I’ve had, had I not said, “yes.” And I’m okay with that.

I just looked back on my course grades and saw that my first doctoral course was on August 19, 2010. I defended my dissertation on August 27, 2019 and the Dean signed my cover page 8 months later on April 30, 2020. I had a few AQR revisions that I needed to take care of after defense. I got lazy and dragged my feet. Then I got it done. Then COVID-19 happened. I waited and waited and waited. And finally, on the evening of Monday, May 4th, as I was sitting on the couch watching Wheel of Fortune, I opened my email for the millionth time to find the “CONGRATULATIONS, THE DEAN HAS SIGNED OFF ON YOUR DISSERTATION” email! I instantly started crying and praying prayers of gratitude. That feeling is one that I cannot explain.

It was important to me to add an inspirational quote on my acknowledgements page but the right one had never hit me, until the legend, Kobe Bryant passed away. The last line of my acknowledgements page reads, “The most important thing is to try to inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do” (Kobe Bryant). I pray that my journey and being so open with its details serves as an inspiration to those that come behind me and to those considering this journey. This has by far been the most tedious, hardest, thing I’ve ever been through. I have joined the 2% of the American population that holds a Doctoral degree. 

I am truly thankful for my committee that saw me through to the end, my husband and our 2 amazing sons, my mom and brothers, my person, my girl tribe, my colleagues and friends, my TT crew....without you, NONE of this would have been possible.

I am honored.

I am proud.

I am Dr. Rachell…...

My advice to anyone else on this journey:

• A good dissertation is a done dissertation. Not a perfect one. A done one!
• Celebrate those around you making progress, even if you aren't.
• Work on SOMETHING every single day. 
• Don’t take a day off! 
• Use the expertise of those around you.
• Hire an editor.
• Your journey is YOUR journey. Don’t compare your journey to others.
• People will start their process after you’ve started yours and they will finish before you. Celebrate them!
• Keep going.
• Take care of your health. Exercise. Eat well. Drink the water.
• Have a creative outlet (ie. reading, journaling, walking….something!).
• Keep a good group of like minded individuals around you.
• Find at least one accountability partner to push you along the way.

If you are on this journey, keep going. You can and you will do it! I believe in you!

Signing off for the first OFFICIAL time as,