Julie Coles

My interest as an explorer of ideas that may benefit others has followed me throughout the span of a gratifying career in education. Each professional level attained was an instructive and necessary building block in preparation for the next. As a current author, I am fortunate to have time and a new platform to continue exploring ideas developed during and beyond my initial 39-year quest devoted to improve the quality of education. 

During my early years as a special education teacher, I encountered a range of experiences that cultivated my appreciation for the challenges experienced by other educators devoted to the same mission: the opportunity to educate students and do it well. While each educator’s level of progression along our individual professional learning curve differed, what mattered most was our collective motivation to elevate our skills to improve the quality of education for our students. Having that singular purpose in common with the vast majority of my colleagues was what made working in one of the most demanding professions so gratifying. 

As a professional consultant to teachers and school leaders, I understood the importance of approaching their concerns in a non-judgmental way. Learning how to be a patient listener as a consultant influenced my leadership style during my tenure as a school leader. Having the ability to carve out safe spaces for honest conversations with young adult students needing to hold onto their defensive armor until they were convinced it was safe to let down their defenses was never easy, nor was it in my job description. Saying “Good morning” and passing along compliments was my way of letting them know how much I appreciated their presence and that they were seen. Occasionally, my decisions would upset them, but providing an on-ramp to enable the resumption of healthy and honest interactions let them know that, when they were ready, I intended to always be accessible. It’s why my door remained opened to everyone. 

As an author of three published education books, America’s Educational Crossroads, Cultivating Exceptional Classrooms, and Changing The Misconceptions About The Principal’s Office, I explored and imagined resourceful ways to bring awareness about resources needed to strengthen the professional performance of educators. The overarching priorities in the educational books I wrote focused on strategies to bridge quality instruction with academic achievement, while also cultivating conditions responsive to the holistic needs of students.

Having completed my goal of authoring education books I made the decision to pivot in a new direction. The desire to dip my toes in new waters was guided by a hobby I occasionally delved into in the past, then set aside. I always enjoyed writing, but poetry particularly interested me. In fact, writing a contemporary version Mother Goose Rhymes was purely based on my love of poetry. Revising and retrofitting centuries old poetry stories into our modern era was a laborious and joyful challenge. I also discovered a way to continue wearing my educator’s thinking cap. Reconstructing humorous poems to fit today’s narrative became an opportunity to educate readers about the goodness our humanity is collectively capable of achieving.

How does reimagining classic Mother Goose rhymes for a modern audience invite readers to reflect on timeless human behaviors and choices?

My hope is that these modern versions of Mother Goose rhymes will ignite curiosity, and inspire reflection. If the modern version inspires a desire to compare the actions of characters from the past with behaviors and choices similar to those we make, or made, readers may avoid having to endure harmful parallel outcomes from past lessons. 
 
In what ways do humor and poetry make difficult life lessons about mistakes, humility, and kindness more approachable for readers of all ages? 

Confronting some of our errors is often uncomfortable and difficult to recover from. However, opportunities to view some mistakes through humor embedded in poetic stories can provide a different perspective.  Errors are an opportunity for teachable moments that we can learn from.  Teachable moments that result in demonstrating humility and compassion for others and ourselves can help accelerate the process of healing wounds. So can humor. Often we tend to smile or laugh when recalling harmless mistakes. But many of us also wished we had used better judgment. Acknowledging the need to use better judgment shows signs of having grown from previous experiences. Reading poems that playfully shine a light on our human foibles can be a reminder that it’s okay to see some mistakes through a humorous lens. No need to wash, rinse and repeat mistakes made in the past.
 
How does the book challenge the idea that cautionary tales are only for children, suggesting they remain relevant throughout adulthood? 

Cautionary tales are for people of all ages because a part of the child within us all travels with us throughout our adult lives. When asked about the most memorable events or moments in our life, we tend to reach back to our childhood and teen years. The characters in the book are relatable because they represent people of all ages. But adult readers who recall the original versions may enjoy making associations with modern day characters in this version whose experiences lead to personal growth.  
 
What does the phrase "Who Got Goosed?" symbolize about the unexpected consequences of poor judgment and everyday human foibles? 

The phrase, “Who Got Goosed?” refers to our tendency to occasionally create self-inflicted wounds that lead to unexpected consequences. When poor judgment supersedes common sense it generally, but not always, leads to not-so-good outcomes. The outcome some characters experience in this book may mirror some of our own. But like many stories shared through humor, Wait…Who Got Goosed? may help us feel less anxious about being reminded of some of our most embarrassing past human foibles. Combining humor with poetry is meant to be entertaining. If readers also find stories enlightening and insightful, that’s great! I hope tales shared in this book create a lasting impression. As an author I aspire to make the time readers spend reading my books a joyful and invaluable experience.
 
How does retelling familiar stories through a more humanitarian lens change the emotional impact of the original rhymes?

Retelling familiar stories through a more humanitarian lens was done intentionally. Changing the emotional impact of original rhymes, that evoked harsh outcomes without allowing for moments of reflection and grace, became a mission. As an author and humanitarian, I took the liberty of reversing negative outcomes for some characters caught in hapless or dire situations not of their own making. Reimagining events provided an opportunity to tweak and reverse the negative outcomes for characters who unintentionally used poor judgment. I wanted to show readers how some experiences can become revelatory moments deserving of sympathy or empathy. To err is human, but too often we overlook our innate power to heal others, and ourselves, by applying even a modicum of kindness and grace.
 
In what ways can compassion transform situations that might otherwise end in embarrassment, conflict, or regret? 

We are each capable of compassion, but not everyone chooses to use it. Those who tend to be genuinely compassionate also tend to regularly view situations through that lens. They value human dignity. They also strive to uplift others in need of assistance because it is what they naturally do. When faced with embarrassing or conflicting situations that are regrettable, generous offers of support from others who reach out to assist us is like encountering a soft landing during moments of highly anxious free-fall. Reading about impactful acts of kindness we are all capable of extending to others, as well as ourselves, is a way to cultivate empathy.
 
Why do people continue to repeat the same mistakes despite generations of stories designed to teach wisdom and caution?
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People continue to repeat the same mistakes, despite generations of stories designed to teach wisdom and caution, because some of us just aren’t ready to see our true selves. But when we realize that we don’t know it all, that’s when we gain the capacity to learn. By contrast, those adhering to a belief that lessons from mistakes committed in the past don’t apply to them are usually guided by hubris. They often regard themselves as being among the smartest people. Readers will encounter characters whose hubris, deservedly lead to consequential outcomes.
 
How does the blend of playful wordplay and meaningful reflection encourage readers to think more deeply about their own actions and assumptions? 

The blend of playful wordplay and meaningful reflection evokes different feelings among the broad spectrum of readers. If my style of playful wordplay helps readers have a meaningful experience that imbibes them with a sense of enjoyment, that’s gratifying. Ultimately I hope scenarios resonate with readers harboring assumptions about “flawed” individuals caught in societal conditions that weren’t of their choosing or making. Overall, writing contemporary versions of Mother Goose stories gave me an opportunity to invite readers to set aside current negative assumptions about others and consider factors that influence conditions people are born into, then are left without adequate resources to navigate their way through. As in life, characters in my series of Wait…Who Got Goosed? books are forced to exist in a variety of challenging terrains many readers may not be familiar with. My hope is readers and kids will enjoy reading Wait…Who Got Goosed? Mother Goose Rhymes Revisited, the Companion Activity Book and Wait…Who Got Goosed Vol. 2. Each book introduces characters from diverse populations trying to coexist under a variety of conditions. Stories are told about our humanity through a modern day perspective to elevate our capacity to understand the good, moments when we are not at our best, and ways we can and should aspire to be our better selves.
 
What role does nostalgia play in helping readers reconnect with childhood stories while discovering new perspectives within them? 

Nostalgia inspires memories linked with events from the past, often as far back as our childhood years.  While childhood experiences vary from one another and take us down different paths, how we evolve and thrive is influenced by those formative years. How often do we hear adults who experienced a difficult childhood, and or teenage years, later discover they possessed the resiliency needed to overcome what seemed like insurmountable obstacles, then miraculously managed to prevail? As we each evolve from childhood to adults our experiences will influence our perspective about a range of issues. We are all impacted by what we experience. Readers of the modern version of Mother Goose Rhymes will discover revelations experienced by characters who were willing to embrace lessons learned, which also influenced a decision to change their perspective. As a writer the challenge of imagining ways to tell eventful stories that influenced the decisions of each character was an opportunity to revisit past experiences I encountered.
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The ability to navigate my way through the peaks and valleys in my own life was guided by honest moments of self-reflection, which at times were tumultuous and unsettling. Arriving on the other side of those challenging moments without harboring animosity, which is so weighty, enabled me pivot toward more prosperous paths.  As an author I hope my readers will discover how my journey led me to find joy, humor, and compassion for my self. I endeavored to reflect what I gained from my experience in my characters and their stories.
 
At its core, what is Wait...Who Got Goosed?® Mother Goose Rhymes Revisited suggesting about the enduring power of storytelling to inspire empathy, self-awareness, and personal growth? 

Wait…Who Got Goosed? Mother Goose Rhymes Revisited is an acknowledgement and celebration of the enduring power storytelling still has… and will always have…to inspire empathy, self-awareness and personal growth. 

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Website:  https://imagineamorepromisingfuture.com/​
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-coles-4b0829229 

Purchase the books here:
Wait...Who Got Goosed?® Mother Goose Rhymes Revisited 
Wait...Who Got Goosed?® Vol. 2 
Wait...Who Got Goosed?® Companion Activity Book 

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