Christel Guillen has embarked on a transformative journey in the educational landscape, shifting from traditional teaching roles to becoming a pioneering force in educational technology. Her path has been characterized by a relentless pursuit of empowerment and impact, transcending the boundaries of conventional education.
From Educator to Innovator
Photo Courtesy: Christel Guillen
Christel’s professional journey began in 2007, when she entered the teaching field through a fellowship that allowed her to work in an inner-city school in Washington D.C. while earning her master’s degree. Over the next decade, she held various roles, spending six years as a special education teacher and eight years as a teacher trainer, coach, and supervisor. Her experience exposed her to the intricacies and challenges of the education system, nurturing a growing desire to make a more substantial impact.
However, by 2017, disillusioned by the constraints of a system she saw as broken, Christel left her position within the school system. She believed that training teachers was crucial, but felt constrained by the limitations of the traditional educational environment. This realization spurred her to explore new avenues where she could effect more significant change.
Venturing Beyond the Classroom
Christel transitioned to an education consultant role for schools and non-profit leaders and simultaneously launched a wellness education lifestyle brand named “Bliss House.” This brand focused on community building and networked with artists and creatives. Bliss House was not merely a bed and breakfast; it was a holistic space dedicated to well-being and creativity, featuring healthy meals, meditation, and yoga classes. It also served as a co-working space for artists, gradually evolving into a vibrant community hub. Here, Christel organized popular events like the Hump Day Social, which featured live music, spoken word poetry, and wellness services.
This period was also one of personal upheaval for Christel, as she navigated a challenging three-year separation and a subsequent divorce. In March 2019, she sold the house that had housed Bliss House and relocated to Miami, where she continued her ventures and took on new challenges.
Photo: Unsplash.com
Facing Personal Challenges and Embracing New Opportunities
The global pandemic in 2020 forced a shift to virtual learning, providing Christel an opportunity to delve into what it means to teach, learn, and design community in the virtual world. The lockdown and the tragic loss of her son during childbirth in 2021 were profound personal challenges that reshaped her focus. She found solace and a new direction in live social audio, initially on Clubhouse and later on X (formerly Twitter), where she began teaching online classes about healing and growth.
Innovating with AI in Education
Christel’s engagement with artificial intelligence marked a significant turn in her professional life. She created the One Click Course Creator using the AIPRM chrome extension, a tool that rapidly gained traction and showcased the potential of AI in revolutionizing online education. This success led to the founding of the One Click Creator community in March 2023, a decentralized platform aimed at integrating AI into everyday learning and earning processes.
In July 2023, Christel launched the OCC Metaversity, a 24/7 virtual learning and wellness space aimed at onboarding parents, educators, and entrepreneurs into the world of advanced technology. The Metaversity serves as a dynamic educational environment that adapts to the evolving needs of its community, providing tools and training that bridge the gap between traditional education and futuristic learning modalities.
Published by: Khy Talara
