For more than ten years, I have made it my mission to ensure that every child in our programs feels protected, seen, and cared for from the moment they walk in until the moment they head home. Peace of mind for families is one of our core values. We have families’ most prized possession in the world in our care, and it is our responsibility to make sure kids are welcomed, nurtured, and safe.
When I joined Right At School, we operated just 45 sites in Illinois. Today, I help lead the safety framework that supports more than 1,000 programs across the country. Every one of them meets national safety standards while adapting to the needs and culture of the local community.
That flexibility only works because of our people. We can have the strongest protocols in the world, but it is our staff who bring them to life. Every new team member receives comprehensive safety-focused training from day one, from online onboarding to hands-on support in the field. Throughout the year, my team reinforces that foundation with trauma-informed care training, leadership coaching, and what we call our Safety Shields. These are clear and practical expectations for supervision and child well-being during every scenario from indoor activities to dismissal.
For more than ten years, I have made it my mission to ensure that every child in our programs feels protected, seen, and cared for from the moment they walk in until the moment they head home.
Our staff also use a 130 page Impact Resource Guide that covers emergency protocols, communication tips, and daily practices that keep kids safe. Even something as simple as remembering to charge a walkie talkie matters. If you cannot communicate, you cannot protect.
One of the things I am most proud of is the culture of shared responsibility we have built. Through our “Your Program. Your Impact.” initiative, every staff member is encouraged to speak up and take ownership. If you see something that is not right, make it right. Every person in every role matters, and every voice matters.
My commitment to safety comes from who I have always been. As the oldest of four siblings, I grew up looking out for others. I have always loved helping people grow and surprise themselves with what they can do. That instinct to protect and develop others still guides me today.
Safety is not only about rules or checklists. It is about relationships. It is the program educator who listens when a child has a tough day. It is the site leader who takes an extra moment to make sure a child feels included. That is safety too.
And at Right At School, safety is not the job of one department. It belongs to everyone. Whether you work in finance, marketing, sales, or program operations, you play a role in the peace of mind families feel when they choose us.
That shared commitment to care, vigilance, and humanity behind every protocol is what sets our programs apart and what makes Right At School a place where children can thrive.
Safety is not only about rules or checklists. It is about relationships. It is the program educator who listens when a child has a tough day. It is the site leader who takes an extra moment to make sure a child feels included. That is safety too.
