Meet Canessa Parker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Canessa Parker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Canessa, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Prior to giving birth to my business, I became aware of the problem Bridge To Ascend solves. There have been several teachers, parents, and administrators who have asked me for consults as I served my personal caseload of learners. It dawned on me one day while serving a behavior therapy client, that I am the answer. Throughout the several years of experience with teaching students and adults who serve them, I’ve acquired knowledge that many don’t have access to. I’ve engaged in several escalated behavioral episodes. I’ve implemented academic and behavioral interventions, and through these have seen learners flourish in their learning environments. After just about every IEP meeting I’ve led or participated in, I’ve heard guardians and parents express an uncommon level of gratitude. So, with this as my background, I thought, why not train other teachers/administrators and help parents better help their learners? Why not offer expert guidance when it comes to the interventions that best fit the needs of the learners in order for them to have the best outcomes, in general? This goes from academic success to success in emotional regulation and I desire and am willing to build up the future leaders by supporting those who work directly with them on the day to day.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Aside from my work as an educator/consultant, I am a creator. I’ve recently released a book titled: “Honesty Is Key: A Guided Journal for Dating with Depth, Discernment, and Divine Intention.” The creation of the book was simultaneously brought to life at the same time as the conversation card deck, “Reviving the Art, Starting with the Heart,” which were born in the fall of 2025. I host a podcast based on the conversation card deck. I am most pleased with the persistence and tenacity I demonstrated while completing these projects during my time as a full-time teacher, business owner, and registered behavior technician. I’m most proud of the individuals who bravely took the charge of speaking to me and the rest of the world who’s tuned in about the core issues centered around their being and most intimate relationships. I am proud of their willingness to do the work. I am grateful for their contributions of doing the work of sharpening the quality of their conversation skills and in becoming the best versions of themselves. There were many challenges. The greatest challenge was time management. Prioritization of goals was a sub-challenge to time management. I had the hardest time configuring how much energy and time to invest in which product outside of the roles I worked both full and part-time. I overcame the challenges through setting hard deadlines, writing to-do lists, and encouraging myself to get it done. Another challenge was the desire to quit that crept into my mind a few times, because physically, I felt like I was lacking energy. Prayer and naps when I had the opportunities to are what carried me through. I’ve learned that sometimes to get a lot, and see the fullness of the impact I have on people for the greater good, I have to sacrifice. I learned that I am way more than a teacher, daughter, sister, and friend. I learned that I am multi-faceted. I want the world to know that this is just the beginning of my story as I go to create more tools to help people and leave my mark as a History Maker.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take my best friend to church with me. We’d go to an Atlanta Dream game. We’d visit Marcus Bar and Grille, Rreal Tacos, Paschal’s, or Black Coffee Atlanta. I’d take her to The Painted Duck. We’d go work out at my gym or the park. We’d visit Cafe Intermezzo, Halidom, The High Museum, and possibly Dave and Busters.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are several individuals who come to mind when it comes to contributors to my story. First and foremost, I acknowledge God with a heart filled with gratitude for guiding me each step of the way through my journey. I acknowledge my family and close friends who have encouraged me over the years and every student I’ve ever served. They taught me how to be the educator I am. I give special thanks to Bishop Kevin Foreman and Harvest Church for the spiritual edification and encouragement to continue in becoming all I was meant to be. I also want to acknowledge Mrs. Ebonne Craft, a mentor who’s stuck beside me throughout the entirety of my career, beginning in middle school and beyond.

Website: https://www.bridgetoascend.com/https://www.etsy.com/shop/RevivingTheArt

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cparkerbta/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/canessa-parker-339b0730b/

Youtube: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RevivingTheArt

Other: Tik-Tok: @bridge.to.ascend
Tik-Tok- Miracles In Motion