Education

When The Mirror Doesn’t Lie: Lessons . . .

By admin | October 1, 2025 0 Comments

By Philmekia Donato

I once sent a text message that wasn’t meant to be replied to—it was meant to be remembered. That’s when I realized growth cannot exist without clarity, and clarity has absolutely nothing to do with other people. It’s an internal mirror.

My mirror moment came when I turned down FOUR Special Education Coordinator positions in Delaware, followed one of my most amazing supervisors to Sharon Hill, PA, and ended up working—impromptu—as a… Special Education Coordinator! It wasn’t just the role; it was the leadership. Honestly, I’d rather lead twenty-five unruly, malleable pre-teens than five adults stuck in their ways. Once I stepped into the role, I kept asking, “God, what do you want me to learn from this?” I finally had to be honest with myself: this is my calling—and I was truly built for everything it comes with.

To gain clarity about what’s next, I had to shift my mindset. I had to let my past experiences in education shape me into the opposite of everything I’d endured. I’ve worked under ego-driven leadership, been in classrooms with teachers who felt threatened by me as a paraeducator, and been denied a teaching position because someone didn’t believe in my emergency certificate. I’ve held a caseload of 14 students with 34 IEP goals—progress monitoring, writing new ones, while teaching five additional classes. And I’ve attended the funerals of two of my students.

Still, I rose.

That impromptu coordinator role? I excelled at it. I stopped running from leadership and started walking toward it, into it, through it. I stopped seeing it as a burden and started moving like someone with purpose—like someone who was being led. It wasn’t that I couldn’t do the work. I just hadn’t accepted that leadership was a steppingstone to something bigger. Once my mindset shifted, doors started opening—including doors for The Knowledge Nook.

I recently submitted my first grant proposal. Whether it gets approved or not, I will continue showing up and pouring into my community. The Knowledge Nook is relationship-centered and rooted in advocacy. As a Special Education Coordinator, families trusted me. We worked together. Their babies became my babies, and that’s what real partnership looks like.

Expect to see community-centered events like our annual Mother/Daughter Brunch, Fresh Cuts, Fresh Start (our barber + stylist day for ages 5–17), and family game nights—all designed to uplift, empower, and affirm.

I’m an educator at heart. Always have been. My philosophy? If you can picture yourself doing it without compensation, that’s the work you’re meant to do. I’ll be stepping into the classroom this fall as a 5^th Grade ELA teacher at Charter School of New Castle. It may be my last stop before The Knowledge Nook takes off—and yes, I plan to balance both. Effortlessly. Because when you’re walking in your purpose, it doesn’t feel like work.

The Knowledge Nook was created for both families and educators. My lived experiences make me the woman for the job. I’m the parent, the educator, the consultant, the advocate, and the professional. I’m working from the inside out. A friend once said, “So you’re working both sides?” My reply? “No, I’m building both sides.” Because we’re stronger together.

To the educator who feels stuck:

I see you. I was you. Waiting for someone to recognize your potential, hand you the opportunity, or make space for your ideas. But here’s what I learned: sometimes the opportunity doesn’t come until you create it. You are allowed to pivot. You are allowed to grow. You are allowed to build what didn’t exist for you. Don’t let where you are convince you that it’s where you have to stay.

And to the families and students who cross paths with The Knowledge Nook:

I hope you walk away feeling seen, heard, supported—and most of all, empowered. I hope you say, “She didn’t just show up for us—she stood with us.” The Knowledge Nook exists because you matter. Your child matters. And I will keep showing up to make sure the world knows it too.

Bio

Philmekia Donato is a Special Education Advocate, consultant, and founder of The Knowledge Nook. She blends lived experience with professional expertise to support families, empower educators, and transform systems. Philmekia uses her voice to advocate for equity, access, and student success. She builds bridges where others saw walls—one child, one family, and one breakthrough at a time.

Testimonial

“Dear Philmekia, I have a little job at Belak’s Flowers, and we get the Women’s Journal. I so enjoyed the article with your story and The Knowledge Nook information. My daughter is a teacher of 3-year-olds at Bush Pre-School in the Brandywine School District. I was blessed to work with her for several years as an Academic Tutor (played with 3-year-olds!). The needs of special education students at this young age are only surpassed by the needs of their parents, and I just wanted to tell you how impressed I am by your dedication and great ideas. I wish you many blessings and success in your business that seems more like ministry to me. I will share your story with my daughter.” ~ Most sincerely, Madeline R.