Her Story
About Annie
Antoinette Theoharis is a dedicated Special Education Teacher and Executive Functioning Skills Coach based in the United States, (NY more specifically) with a career spanning more than two decades in educational support and student development. She began her career in Brooklyn, NY working for 22 years as a special education teacher, driven by a lifelong passion for teaching and supporting children with special needs. She earned her master’s degree in Special Education from the College of Staten Island, equipping her with the expertise to develop individualized learning strategies that foster growth, independence, and success for all students. About three years ago, Antoinette expanded her work into coaching students with ADHD, focusing on executive functioning skills through Russell Coaching, where she received her coaching training and credentials. She also founded her own practice, The Lotus Rising, Reiki and Recovery, where she serves as a Reiki Master and provides spiritual journey mentoring for women. She describes her role as a bridge between where someone is and where they want to be, guiding them with intuition, life experience, and tailored strategies. In her consulting work at the Syosset Central School District, she supports students in inclusion classes, modifies assignments, and helps them develop strong executive functioning skills, study habits, and organizational strategies to succeed academically and personally. Beyond her work in education, Annie engages in mindfulness and meditation practices, collaborating with a mindfulness company called Think Wellness NY to support students and adults alike with mindfulness training. She considers this her “second life,” where she pursues her true passion—empowering women and students to overcome challenges, find purpose, and cultivate joy. Whether in the classroom, coaching sessions, or Reiki practice, Antoinette brings empathy, insight, and dedication to helping others achieve meaningful growth and success in both their academic and personal journeys.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Annie
01What do you attribute your success to?
My first inspiration was actually my kids. I wasn't my best self, so I had to make changes because they deserve the better version of me, at least 85% or 90% of the time. They honestly were my first inspiration. And then I started to believe that I am worthy of having this purposeful life and giving back to other women who maybe were in similar situations to myself. A lot of this started with my divorce. I had to work through certain traumas and find and recreate myself again. I think that a lot of women, whether they're in marriages or not, get stuck in whatever role they take on. Wife. Mother. Caretaker. Someone told me the other day, I'm a mom, that's what I am, and I'm like, but you're so much more.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of my mentors told me to make it your own, whatever IT is. I feel pretty good about how I show up as me to make things my own. Another mentor told me to alwaya lead with my heart, and I haven't forgotten that. I feel as though I have completely embraced leading with my heart.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell them that they don't have to fit the mold, that they have to embrace what makes them unique, and what makes their heart beat with conviction. Their passions should be the driving force in their lives. Always following the next smallest little passion. I started scrapbook decorating these notebooks, and it was just a thing, and then it became a bigger thing. But there was so much joy in that, that it spilled over into other areas of my life.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is getting myself out there with my own thing. It's tough to go all in on yourself, but it's also something I'm trying and learning to do. As for opportunities, I feel like when you are in the flow, when you are really in alignment with what your heart wants, the opportunities just come in. Like this interview, I don't even remember how I signed up for this thing, but opportunities appear when you're aligned with your purpose.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In both my work and personal life, I value connection. I value finding that something special with each client that is specific to them that you can bond over. I also value honesty with a cushion of compassion. Especially when working with kids with ADHD. One of the symptoms is that they lie out of not wanting to be in trouble, or not wanting to disappoint. I think that just understanding that the symptoms are not who they are is a major factor in advocating for these students and helping them feel accepted.
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