Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Kelly Christiel, Area Manager

1. When did your leadership traits first emerge and how did you get your start in leadership?

My leadership traits began to blossom around 2004. I worked as a Student Advocate for elementary and high school age students, preparing them for post-secondary options. It was my first experience leading a team, but my boss was a great role model. I enjoyed working alongside her and tried to help her as much as I could because I eventually wanted her job! LOL. But seriously, it was rewarding to support youth in their growth and development to become future professionals.

2. Give a brief synopsis of your leadership experience.

I started in the wonderful world of non-profits. For several years I worked as a Community Resource Coordinator under an Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) grant. In this position, I instituted after school programming for a high school on Chicago’s Southeast side, working as the liaison between the high school and an arts education organization. I hired creative professionals from all over the city to teach, encourage and help shape the lives of these students using art, sports and academic support as a platform. I managed all of the administrative functions of the program to ensure its success and continued funding. That experience helped me land a position as Program Associate with the same arts education organization. In that position, I supported the implementation of arts programs in elementary and high schools throughout the Chicago area.

3. What gender stereotypes have you had to overcome in life? (Personal or Professional)

I have been blessed to work for organizations and companies where gender inequality has not been an issue for myself or my peers.

4. Have you ever had to make adjustments to your leadership style to earn respect?

Yes! Working with parents in Out of School Time programming (OST) can be a challenge… I find that especially as a child gets older, parent participation in school goes down… I spent many days and nights trying to get parents involved in what really excited their children. I wrote notes and letters explaining to parents how important OST is to the development of their children and how their endorsement could take their child even further…[and] I created a parent cafe that ran alongside after school programming. The parent cafe offered professional office space, networking events, workshops and other special interests that got parents [to come] in the school building. While they were there, parents were encouraged to stop by their child’s after school classroom, which enabled them to observe how dedicated and serious [their children] were about perfecting their crafts. [All of this] motivated parents to dedicate energy into supporting their child’s talents.

5. What effect has being a woman had on your role here at Right At School? What effect does your role have on children?

This is an interesting question! I’d say being a woman working for RAS has allowed me to build wonderful professional and personal relationships with other female industry leaders across the country. Hearing about and seeing the impact of their work has been inspiring for me.

I stand in that space between education and recreation and I believe children appreciate that. Most of my younger relatives think my job is so cool! Many of them participated in events and trips with me and even helped me with “special” projects. A couple of them went on to study early childhood education and I’d like to believe that I and other educators in our family were their influencers.

6. Tell us about a Woman who influenced you. What about her was so inspirational?

Dr. Barbara A. Sizemore was a Chicago Public School teacher/principal, college professor, dean for the School of Education at DePaul University and an author. She was also my mother’s third grade teacher! Dr. Sizemore pioneered and was responsible for school reform in African American communities. The Forward in her book, Walking in Circles: The Black Struggle for School Reform, describes her this way:

“Dr. Sizemore was involved in the struggle for academic and cultural excellence, successfully and for many decades. Few educators can match her record of excellence in teaching, research, theory building, institution building and political activism.”

But it’s perhaps this quote that best summarizes why she has been such an inspiration in my professional journey.

“The cry of the ghetto is being heard by a nation with its fingers in its ears.” – Barbara A. Sizemore.