What Is Your Role At CSF?
I am the first and only School-Based Services Program Specialist.
When did you join the CSF team?
I started at CSF in September 2022.
Describe your professional background.
I’m a National Board-Certified educator with an MA in School Administration. After teaching high school science for nine years, I entered youth-development program management. For five years I worked in various positions within Wyman, where I helped develop and pilot what is now the Teen Connection Project.
What drew you to work for CSF?
The School-Based Services Program Specialist position was a new role at CSF, and I was excited about the opportunity to work within an organization that not only funds mental and behavioral health services for youth, but also recognizes the invaluable role that school systems play in supporting youth wellness.
What prepared you to work at CSF?
I’ve lived and worked in St. Louis County my entire life, excluding college (M-I-Z-Z-O-U, Go Tigers!). Throughout my career, I’ve worked for and within many of the county’s school districts, teaching students, training adults, and coordinating wrap around services for families.
Describe your position at CSF.
No day is the same, which I absolutely love. Sometimes I’m meeting with assistant superintendents or student services directors to share information about available resources. Some days I’m on-site at a school, watching one of CSF’s funded partners deliver programing. Other days I’m facilitating conversations with educators and mental health practitioners with the goal of ensuring equitable access to services for youth.
What keeps you passionate about your work?
Knowing that our work matters. One of my most rewarding responsibilities is planning CSF’s annual school staff appreciation and wellness event, RefreshED. One day, I’m having an informal conversation with a teacher when she tells me that the rejuvenation she experienced and the skills she learned at RefreshED is the reason she’s still teaching after years of burnout. She uses breathing and yoga exercises learned at the event with her students. Children are learning mindfulness skills that will help them their entire lives because this teacher’s cup was filled at an event CSF planned and sponsored. Amazing!
What is your favorite part of your job?
I am so grateful for the people I get to collaborate with every day. Not only do I have super intelligent and innovative colleagues, but I also get to partner with the most passionate, caring, and dedicated leaders in education and social services in St. Louis.
What’s the most challenging part of your job?
As a teacher, I always wished I had more time to dedicate to each of my students. As the School-Based Program Specialist, I wish I had more time to dedicate to each of the county’s 23 school districts and many private schools and the 40 school-based agencies in my portfolio.
What is a project at CSF that you’re most proud of?
RefreshED! I wear many hats in planning CSF’s annual educator appreciation and wellness event: Project Manager, Recruiter, Event Planner, Accountant, MC, and more. Heck, even TV Personality! It’s always a heavy lift that includes a little blood, a lot of sweat, and tons of tears, but we always manage to present an event that is impactful, refreshing, and most importantly, fun!
What’s your favorite lunch spot?
My team knows that I rarely eat lunch. However, I will never turn down a free meal!
What do you like to do outside of work?
I’m a wife and mama of a tween and teen, so any time the kids want to hang out with their parents, whether it’s watching movies, playing video games, or pushing past my fear of roller coasters and going to Six Flags, I’m there. I also love crafting, sewing, and gardening when I have time for myself.
To learn more about her professional background, visit Heather’s bio on our website.