Her Story
About Anna
Anna Cannard serves as a special education worker in a local high school in Concord, New Hampshire, assisting autistic students with behavioral management and communication. She brings extensive experience from her prior career as a social worker, where she supported children in foster care, worked in an inpatient psychiatric facility, assisted families in unsafe homes, and later spent eight years in hospice care. In 2016, she earned her Bachelor's of Social Work from Oral Roberts University. On the side, Anna authored the book The Many Sides of Me, which draws from her professional experiences to examine trauma, its impact across the lifespan, and the critical role of community support in healing. Her work emphasizes trauma-informed care and helping communities better understand and support those affected by trauma.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Anna
01What do you attribute your success to?
I have my own history of trauma, and I've seen the statistics of people who turn out in psychiatric facilities, jail, addiction. When I looked at my own life, I have significant trauma but didn't follow that path. I attribute it to having a really good community around me and a lot of support. The reason I'm okay today is because I had those positive influences in my life.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
When I was 16, they said you're gonna have some really bad days where you're gonna want to give up, but you gotta just think, did you do one good thing today?
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I always wanted to write my own book but was telling myself no one wants to hear this. Looking back, I wish I had done it sooner. I would tell people to tell your story, there's power in telling your own story.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Care and compassion. One of my key sayings is always try and do one good thing a day. No matter how bad your day goes, if you can do one good thing, then it's not a waste.
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