About Me
About Me
Deborah Jestin
ACC, M. Ed.
As a professional coach drawing on three decades as an educator and community leader, my goal is to inspire you to address the challenges that are standing in the way of becoming the best that you can be. With coaching, you can get a clearer understanding of what you want out of life and a new perspective on the strategies that will help you get there. The energy created from this self discovery process also can be a powerful force helping you to move towards your life’s goals. My focus and background is particularly suited to people in transition in their career, in their family lives and in their retirement.
My Career
Before I became a Life Coach, I was an educator. I taught in Durham Region schools for six years, teaching in both Whitby and Pickering. I also opened a brand new school in Pickering. During that time, I taught grades 2 and 3, and lead multiple extracurriculars including choir, cross country, basketball, track & field, and yearbook.
I then taught at Ramer Wood Public School in Markham for 14 years. During my time at Ramer Wood I taught grades 2, 3, and 6, and was once again involved in leading many extracurriculars. These include choir, cross country, track & field, yearbook, book clubs, student council, and being the Primary Lead, Literacy Lead, and Technology Lead at the school.
Why did you transition to Life Coaching?
My husband and I always said we would retire together. He is older than I am and when it was time to retire I realized that I was not ready. I missed teaching and he was busy with professional boards in his retirement — I knew I needed more in my professional life. I spent a great deal of time soul searching to discover my purpose and recognized that I was passionate about inspiring and empowering people. I researched schools and met with several people and I knew that studying to become a Life Coach was an obvious pathway for me to take.
When and where did you train to be a Life Coach?
I began studying to become a life coach in September 2016. I studied at the Adler Professional School’s Faculty of Professional Coaching, and completed my Practicum in June 2018. In March 2019, I wrote and passed my Accredited Certified Coach (ACC) Exam from the International Coach Federation. In August 2019, I received my Holistic Wellness Certificate.
What is your coaching style?
Coaching is a process that is aimed to improve a person’s life, whether that be a career, work/life balance, transition, family, or confidence. There is a wide variety of styles and techniques that I use, depending on the direction the client wants to go.