I am Leah Oliva and I serve as Vice President of Operational Support for Right At School. I have been with RAS for ten years, and one thing has stayed true throughout my entire journey. I never leave impact to chance. The truth is, there is a science to doing this well, and RAS is doing it better than anyone.
We use curriculum developed by professionals and built around learning and science. We know safety protocols. We think through everything. Everything is methodical. Other programs might leave things to chance, but everything we do is intentional.
A big part of why I care so deeply about this work comes from my own childhood. So many in my era grew up as latchkey kids, and we did not have the opportunity to spend those critical after school hours with caregivers dedicated to our growth. That experience continues to drive me every day.
Here is an example that shows what intentionality looks like in action.
When I visited one of our programs in New York, I met a second grader named Jack. Jack is developmentally delayed and on the spectrum. Sometimes he wants to play with other kids, and sometimes he prefers to play in his own world. Because of the way we structure our curriculum, we offer something called voice and choice. We give kids options and invite them to express their opinions.
During that visit, Jack said, “I do not want to go outside. I want to finish this card for my mom.” Despite his challenges, Jack is an amazing little artist, and finishing that card mattered to him. Our curriculum made it easy to accommodate him. He stayed inside, created something he felt proud of, and felt happy, empowered, and joyful. Then he went outside when he was ready.
This is what I mean by commitment. It is easy to run a cookie-cutter program. It is easy to become rigid and forget that joy belongs at the center of what we do. I believe it is essential to build programs that support every student in a way that honors who they are.
At Right At School, I take impact seriously because I want every student to grow, to thrive, and to feel the RAS joy.
We use curriculum developed by professionals and built around learning and science. We know safety protocols. We think through everything. Everything is methodical.
