2023 Most Influential Women: Jami Glenn

Jami Glenn acknowledges the aphorism that “hurt people hurt people.” But in her five years as an emotional wellness coach at Springfield Dream Center, Glenn has seen firsthand what meaningful connections can do for a child who is in pain.

Glenn works with children to teach emotional regulation, giving them the tools to control and conquer emotions that they may not know how to handle. She also takes time to coach adults that have a direct influence on the children she works with.

“Research is clear that when our children are supported emotionally, and their parents are taught research-based tools to guide their emotional growth, their lives are better,” Glenn says.

To further her impact in the Springfield community, Glenn started a private coaching business in 2021, Sacred Ground Coaching LLC, so she could coach even more kids and parents. Glenn says she utilizes three strategies when it comes to her work in the mental health field: “No. 1, working with children individually to teach them the tools to calm their brain and body during a big emotion; No. 2, coaching the teachers that support those children every day in the classroom; and No. 3, coaching their parents, who help guide kids through emotions at home.” Glenn says she quickly realized there were more than just children that she could impact.

“When I work with the adults who support kids, teachers and parents, I’m able to maximize my impact as an emotional wellness coach and become a true leader in the emotional/mental health field,” Glenn says.

In her five years as a public school teacher, she became passionate about supporting teachers. Glenn says she recognized how important an adult’s mindset was in order to set an example for a child.

After two years as a school counselor at Gloria Deo Academy, Glenn was hired at Springfield Dream Center with the vision to develop an after-school social and emotional learning program, which became DC Academy. With this dream, Glenn hoped to be able to guide not only children but adults on the path of emotional control.

She has made it a priority to provide free workshops and coaching sessions through Springfield Dream Center to families who aren’t able to afford mental health services. She also implements this through her private practice by coaching one family a quarter for free.

“The fact that this program and all of the emotional wellness and parenting workshops that I facilitate at the Springfield Dream Center are 100% free to our families sets our work apart and uniquely positions us to partner with Dream Center parents while removing the financial burden that mental and emotional wellness support would typically cost a family,” Glenn says.

Glenn has furthered her impact in the community by starting a newsletter with free resources, guest-lecturing for the Missouri State University Early Childhood Program and partnering with a local business, The Plant Lab, to host a workshop in the store.