We had the good fortune of connecting with Roseanna Gonzalez and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Roseanna, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
There was an article that was written about me in 2016 that captioned that I operated on “One speed — Fast.” That was something that I took pride in, but throughout time that notion faded and was replaced with “peace and rest.” I found that this balance of peace and rest, allows you to have your “cup filled” to be able to give from a healthy, full “cup.” It gives you the freedom and liberty to provide the best service to others, coming from a healthy place and not a co-dependent notion of serving to fulfill a void or a self-righteous tendency.
With a new season that I have been in the past year and half, BALANCING work life as the Director of SESI Tucson schools, and still actively serving in my community with a ministry called, “It’s a Beautiful Life,” being a mother of five children, and a strong advocate of healing from the inside out with mental health being a start in that process; I have been walking out resting and taking time to take care of my health and things that I have neglected in the past, due to running a fast pace life, serving and tending to others needs with leaving my own needs behind- Finishing up my mental health coaching certification, Ph. D Program, and taking care of some much needed surgeries to preserve an overall better health journey.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
With serving in the Tucson Community, wearing many different hats (i.e., Bail Agent, Children/Youth ministry Director, Community Chaplain, Juvenile Detention Officer, and Special Education Teacher), I have had the most pleasure, passion, and love in the education field, which I have served as a Special Education Teacher for the Southside of Tucson for 12+ years.
As of July 2022. I was blessed with the opportunity to be the Director of Tucson Schools for SESI. Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a division of FullBloom, is a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional educational and behavioral supports to overcome challenges that impede success in a traditional school setting. SESI partners with school districts to run in-district classrooms and stand-alone schools that meet the academic, behavioral, social, and emotional needs of special and alternative education students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Learning, Emotional and other disabilities.
I have been able to implement my leaderships skills that I have developed through a combo of personal experiences of serving in my community with serving on numerous boards in the Tucson area serving different populations in our city, work experience as working with high risk-youth and families, and challenging populations, but also through hard earned education that I have been able to obtain while raising my five children (currently working on finishing my Doctorates).
I have also been able to continue to serve my community through a ministry called, “It’s a Beautiful Life.” I became the Executive Director of this organization in 2017, but have lived the model and philosophy of IABL pretty much my whole life- The mission of It’s A Beautiful Life is to serve all people in all walks of life to: (1) strengthen, empower and unite through building positive and healthy relationships; (2) restore and (3) transform individuals, families and the community as a whole.
It’s a Beautiful Life’s goals are to touch millions of lives… One need and relationship at a time. It’s A Beautiful Life’s strives to UNITE, STRENGTHEN, and ADVANCE individuals for the purposes of empowering and inspiring individuals to see God’s beauty in every aspect of their life whether it be through tragedy or triumph and live out victory, which then life becomes BEAUTIFUL in the process of this victory.
Serving my community in different capacities like serving at Gospel Rescue Mission, providing support with The Lot on 22nd St, serving the men at Marshall Home for Men for many years, and so many other great opportunities, has given me the hope and strength to continue to do all I do with even the health challenges I have been faced with throughout my lifetime, but serving has ALSO taught me a lot on how to advocate balance when it comes to health and serving in the professional life and career sphere so you can provide in a health and positive manner.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My everyday itinerary is a unique one to say the least, which would start off with a tour to my favorite prayer hill called, Tumamoc Hill located immediately west of “A” Mountain and downtown Tucson, Arizona.
Not to be bias, but one of my favorite coffee shops in Tucson that I spend a lot of my time meeting with some of my favorite folks and chat with local customers is, Laverna’s Coffee Shop (220 S. Plumer Ave. 85719), that is owned by my very own mother. Rosa Blass.
My next stop would be a stop at my favorite park called Santa Rita Park ( 401 E 22nd St, Tucson, AZ 8571) to visit with some of my favorite park friends to share a meal with and pray over them once a week (every Friday).
These are some of the few places I go to decompress and have some of my “Whoosah” moments.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Jesus Christ is my first SHOUTOUT to because he is the one who not only has given me purpose in this crazy life, but HE has also saved my life on many occasions (suicide attempts that led me to my calling and purpose and birthed “It’s a Beautiful Life”) Secondly, my five-children “A-Team” that has motivated me to be the best version of myself and has allowed me to royally mess-up and still be loved and cheered on by my little tribe.
I thank Special Education Services, Inc. for giving me the opportunity to serve my community the way I can with them appointing me to be the Director of Schools in Tucson, Arizona. I also give a SHOUTOUT to the Tucson Community for allowing me the opportunity to love and serve many individuals, families, churches and organizations, in the town I love.
Website: itsabeautifullife311.com
Instagram: itsabeautifullife311
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/roseanna-gonzalez-a45170285
Facebook: facebook.com/itsabeautifullife311
Image Credits
Fenix.Fox- http://www.fenixfox.photography/