Director of all school-age OST child care programs
Cherry Creek School District
Englewood, CO
Highlight any employment, volunteer, or other experience relevant to NAA's mission, vision, values, core competencies, and strategic focus areas.
I have worked with school-age OST programs for 26 years, both private sector and public education. I have always advocated for quality out-of-school time programs for all children keeping their best interests as a priority always to support the whole child. In my current role, I manage an overall budget with revenue exceeding $16M annually. Ongoingly, I create policies and procedures for the 500+ staff that continues to advocate for the overall quality of programs in Cherry Creek School District. As stated above, I am involved with afterschool organizations in Colorado, past and present. I served on the board for CAQSAP prior to it changing to CAP. Now I am on a Quality Action Team to create standard practices in Colorado for quality programming in out-of-school time. I work collaboratively with state-wide school-age programs in Colorado to continually refocus the vision and mission for quality programming and resources needed. In my current role, I constantly problem-solve to resolve day-to-day issues that come up in my leadership role with Cherry Creek School District. I create high-quality staff development opportunities for staff to continue their professional journey in OST programs. I love to see part-time jobs turn into passionate careers in afterschool. I am also fully committed to disrupting inequities and opportunity gaps for students, including race, income and disability. It is our work to eliminate negative student outcomes that are often based on these inequities. In my free time, I am a Girl Scout Troop Leader. I have 9 Cadettes (8th graders) who started in my troop in 3rd grade. I have empowered them to value the importance of community service, leadership, outdoor skills, financial literacy, develop values to guide sound decision making and set the foundation to be successful, confident future women leaders.
Based on your skills, dispositions, and expertise, explain how you see yourself contributing to NAA's strategic focus areas: Field Leadership, Professional Development, Advocacy, Community Building.
My work with CAP on the Quality Action Team will contribute to NAA's Field Leadership focus area because we are fostering partnerships with Colorado OST programs by surveying to get feedback for recommendations on what is important to quality programs. I have been involved with out-of-school time programs for 26+ years, it is a small industry in Colorado, so I have developed relationships and partnerships with many individuals and organizations through the years. With those relationships, I have been able to be a prominent voice for many to advocate for sharing funding resources, staff development resources, and best practices to support students after school. Annually, I plan and execute an elaborate annual conference for afterschool staff members in Cherry Creek School District with breakout sessions, and high-level, renown keynote speakers. Staff always look forward to attending this annual event. We are in the process of building a state-wide district-run afterschool conference for professionals across Colorado. This conference will include many staff development areas including behavior toolbox for staff for problem solving and managing defiance and understanding difficult behavior, coaching approaches, bully prevention, PBIS/Second Step methods, team building, trauma informed care, inclusivity, implicit bias, as well as social emotional support for students in light of the current pandemic. Planning began before Covid-19, so this may become virtual, it was scheduled for July 2020, delayed to July 2021. Through my leadership in Cherry Creek School District we have had the opportunity to build community Lights On Afterschool initiatives including social media and political representation through the City of Aurora. I have enlisted support from District Leadership and the community to value out-of-school time employees through the ongoing Afterschool Professional Appreciation Week campaign. Additional I am proud of my continual efforts to advocate for the staff members working in afterschool programs, both with opportunities for advancement, supporting the advancement for leaders of color and competitive wages and benefits.
Review the NAA Board Job Description. Using the job description as a guide, describe your experience, skills, and dispositions that prepare you to be an effective board member of a national professional association.
I have been an Executive Member with NAA for 10+ years. My passion has always been creating quality experiences for children through afterschool and full day OST programs. Starting as an assistant in child care, I have grown in this field to be use my leadership to advocate for children. Needs of children change all the time, living through a pandemic is a perfect example. Children need social/emotional support, they need a sense of normalcy, they need adults who love and support them. I meet regularly with stakeholders and colleagues throughout the state to ensure that I am meeting the current needs for the children I support through the OST programs in Cherry Creek School District. One of my strengths in my current position is maintaining an extensive budget with both large operating revenue and expenses throughout my organization. I create and maintain the operating budget for these programs that exceed $16M in revenue annually. I continually create intricate, detailed financial analysis to form projections, trends and patterns in enrollment, revenue and expected expenses. I pride myself, even through 70% loss in enrollment due to Covid-19, I have been able to continue to employ all staff and have kept the doors open to families working front line in the pandemic. I am working to increase enrollment through community partnerships, relationships and trust in the staff to continue to maintain a safe place for children. I have applied for and received much needed relief grants to support our doors staying open.
Why are you interested in being a member of the NAA Board of Directors?
I am ready to expand outside of my Colorado network to advocate for afterschool programs nationally. I would like to use my extensive knowledge in the field to support staff and students participating in OST programs. My passion for afterschool programs is radiant and I am excited to amplify my passion nationally.
