I believe the right after school partner does more than run programs. The right partner makes a district’s mission feel lighter and more possible. When an after school provider aligns with the goals, pressures, and realities of district life, the work becomes more than a line item. It becomes an extension of student success, family engagement, and community wellbeing.
That belief shapes how I approach my work every day. As Vice President of School Partnerships at Right At School, I hold a simple philosophy. My job is to make things easier for districts, not harder.
At a professional development conference in Orlando, a superintendent asked me a question that went straight to the heart of why I do this work. He asked, “Why do you work at Right At School?” I did not hesitate. I said, “I feel like I have the best gig because I get to do what is right for kids.” That remains my compass. It guides how I evaluate every request, every proposal, and every decision.
Before I bring anything forward to leadership, I ask myself two questions. Does this help kids? Does this support our mission? If the answer is no, then I say no, even if the idea sounds exciting on paper.
“I feel like I have the best gig because I get to do what is right for kids. That remains my compass.”
I have spent nearly fifteen years supporting districts, from large systems like Chicago Public Schools to single-building communities. Through that work, I have learned something simple and consistent. Effective partnerships start by listening. When I meet with superintendents or district teams, I never start with a sales pitch. I start with a genuine, steady question. I ask, “Tell me what keeps you up at night.”
The answers reach far beyond after school programming. Some leaders describe staffing shortages or long wait lists. Others share concerns about chronic absenteeism, affordability, or barriers facing multilingual families. I listen because these challenges shape the entire rhythm of a district and the lives of the children in it.
My job is to find the places where Right At School can make a real difference. When one district told me they struggled with chronic absenteeism, I worked with their leadership team to use after school as part of the solution. We positioned Right At School as a destination program, a place kids loved enough that it made them more eager to come to school in the first place.
When my team aligns our work with districts of all sizes, we follow two core principles. The first is consistency. Families everywhere deserve the same high standard of curriculum quality, programming, and safety. The second is being locally inspired. Programs should reflect the culture, history, and needs of each community. They should feel like they belong.
“When Right At School shows up as a true partner, district leaders feel supported, families feel seen, and students receive the consistent, joyful, safe after school experience they deserve.”
The best part of this work is creating accessible opportunities for families. When I talk about equitable access, I mean affordability, language access, and real solutions that remove barriers so all families can participate. I also mean showing up for districts facing staffing challenges and helping them build approaches that work for their reality.
Many district leaders think of their current after school program as their baby, and they should. These programs carry years of relationships, memories, and trust. I honor that history by slowing down, listening closely, and building a bridge that protects what matters most. I work alongside district leaders to solve problems, strengthen quality, and move forward without disrupting what already works well.
My job is to make district leaders look like the heroes they are. That is not a tagline for me. It is the core of the work. When Right At School shows up as a true partner, district leaders feel supported, families feel seen, and students receive the consistent, joyful, safe after school experience they deserve.
A genuine partner does not run parallel to a district’s mission.
A genuine partner lifts it.
