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Welcome, fog over Port Hood

Glad you found me at lifelong lessons reaching out. Experiences as a teacher, educator, consultant, and someone who lived through trauma, tragedy, illness, injury. I offer weekly blogs born from 35 plus years of weekly columns on the big topics: self-esteem, fear, pain, death, education. Please find something to help with life's misfortunes, ponder, feel better about yourself. Find purpose, lessons learned, as I pay it forward through books and blogs and sharing of life lessons learned.

Welcome!

WHO AM I?

Francene Gillis

 

  • Am I really 67 years old? We are the lucky ones ...

  • My body feels like it but not my mind. Anyone else feel that way? Age is relative.

  • I refuse to see added years to learn, as old age.

  • Welcome to Reaching Out, Lifelong Lessons Learned, and my journey 

Educational Offferings

  • ​Writer, teacher, educational consultant, columnist, The Inverness Oran 35+ years

  • Author, A Rose in November, 1994, collection of true stories of overcoming adversity

  • Teacher high school English Language Arts & Literature, 25 years, substituted longer

  • Worked on provincial and national projects, had my own consulting business

  • Involved in teaching youth, adult literacy, curriculum development

  • Hope to sell high school lesson plans, offer training sessions and online workshops

 

  • Teaching career ended with a serious concussion and whiplash in 2016

  • My identity was left on the ground, disabled for eight years, still struggle with functional tasks

  • Where Did i Go? a memoir plus, published, June 22, 2025 focuses on what I learned

  • Seven other incredible stories will have you riveted to your seat

  • You have to meet these phenomenal people and read how they overcame the unexpected

  • In the Beat of the Heart, a caution ... life can change that quickly

​BLOGS

  • Intention of connecting and helping those who suffer, not feel so utterly alone

  • Advocate for those without a voice, who lost their voice, too scared to speak

  • Share my trauma and difficulties and how I fought to rise above

  • Over and over, I reshaped my life into a mosaic of resilience, fortitude, and courage

  • My purpose, make a meaningful difference in the lives of others through words

  • I want to share lessons learned and pay it forward for any, and everyone who struggles

Inspiration & Mindset Rise Again

  • We can rise again, with support, by looking after ourselves,

  • silencing critical harsh voices

  • Mindset  determines how we choose to see misfortune

  • Rainbows form after the rain, sunshine after dark clouds,

  • and glorious sunsets in splendid tapestries allow us to rest and rise again. 

Me 6 _edited.jpg

One of my former students, Brett Matthews. He's so good! Give him a listen as he writes and sings about what's most important in life. I love young people and hope to promote and help them!

Hands Reaching Out
A visual of Francene and who she is
Business logo & how I am different
slide on trauma, perfectionism, struggle
Things I love & value
Challenges and struggles
A favourite quotation
Rainbow near Port Hood Island

Hey, Come Back for Lots Of Updates!

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