Community Schools Coordinator Appreciation Week

September 21, 2020

For Community Schools Coordinator Appreciation Week, we’re celebrating the Resource Coordinators in our Community Schools programs across Metropolitan!

Metropolitan’s Resource Coordinators are… LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY!

Our Community School Coordinators represent the “L” of our MFS F.A.M.I.L.Y. values by embracing a learning organization. They value the experience gained form mistakes, and knowing this is key to continuous improvement and greater wisdom. Our Coordinators are always learning… from their students and families… from program leadership… or from their own pursuits of knowledge. As they continue to grow, they continue to find new and inventive ways to refine their programs to better serve their school communities and become good stewards of the grant.

Working alongside our coordinators are the Program Supervisors. Many of them were once Coordinators of their own school programs, and have a deep understanding of the rigors of this position. We rely on their knowledge and expertise to help our Coordinators and Clinicians achieve the best program for their school communities, and want to give these team leaders a special shout out:

Chelsea Corbett, Program Supervisor – North and Midway Centers
Karin Craig, Program Supervisor – Midway Center
Natalia Diaz, Program Supervisor – Midway Center
Hannah Mngwamba, Program Supervisor – Southeast Chicago and Midway Centers
Kelsey Pierce, Program Supervisor – Calumet Center
Leslie Chestnut, Program Manager

It goes without saying this year has been uncharacteristically more difficult than before. But through it all, our Coordinators and Clinicians continue to provide high-quality out-of-school time programs for thousands of Chicagoland students every year. Their collective talents, commitment to service, and dedication create an unrivaled total sum.

Thank you for all that you do for your school communities! #CoordinatorsRock

DAY 4

Metropolitan’s Resource Coordinators are… A MOTIVATING FORCE!

Our Community School Coordinators model the “F” of our MFS F.A.M.I.L.Y. values by focusing on the strengths of their program teams, youth, and families. As servant leaders, they value individuals, families, and communities, their inherent strengths, their ability to learn and grow, be resilient and find solutions to challenges. A successful community school requires a collaborative approach; one that maximizes the strengths, talents, and ideas of everyone involved.

In celebration of Community School Coordinator Appreciation week, we want to give a special shout out the Southeast Chicago Center coordinators:

Melissa Breslan, Recess Coordinator – John L. Marsh Elementary School
Rita Hillman, Resource Coordinator – Bowen High School
Sara Oceguera, Resource Coordinator – John L. Marsh Elementary School
Irma Saldana, Resource Coordinator – Matthew Gallistel Elementary Language Academy

Thank you for all that you do for your school communities! #CoordinatorsRock

DAY 3

Metropolitan’s Resource Coordinators are… INNOVATIVE and CREATIVE!

Our Community School Coordinators demonstrate the “I” of our MFS F.A.M.I.L.Y. values, and create an innovative culture for their onsite program teams. They are agile in their operations and management functions, while maintaining the integrity of our agency’s operational and management systems. As this year has been fraught with many challenges, our Coordinators continue to rise to the occasion by finding innovative solutions during this very unique time.

In celebration of Community School Coordinator Appreciation week, we want to give a special shout out the North Center coordinators:

Nayade Chota, Resource Coordinator – James Monroe Elementary School
Melissa Tesch, Resource Coordinator – Peter A. Reinberg Elementary School

Thank you for all that you do for your school communities! #CoordinatorsRock

DAY 2

Metropolitan’s Resource Coordinators are… AGENTS OF CHANGE!

Our Community School Coordinators exemplify the “M” of our MFS F.A.M.I.L.Y. values, and mobilize for social justice as they engage their students and families within their school communities. They work to increase diversity, racial, gender, and economic equity, inclusion and cultural competency in all that they do. We strive to facilitate every school program with a Restorative Justice approach. Now more than ever, it’s imperative that we create school programs that aim to include and elevate EVERY participant.

In celebration of Community School Coordinator Appreciation week, we want to give a special shout out the Midway Center coordinators and clinicians:

Susana Castro, SCS Resource Coordinator – Adlai E. Stevenson Elementary School
Yesenia Covarrubias, Mental Health Practitioner – Adlai E. Stevenson Elementary School
Alberto Cuevas, Resource Coordinator – Donald Morrill Math & Science Elementary School
Ahman Fells, Resource Coordinator – Nathan Hale Elementary School
Noheli Hernandez, Resource Coordinator – Enrico Tonti Elementary School
Judy Idrovo, Resource Coordinator – Robert J. Richardson Middle School
Tyler James, Resource Coordinator – Urban Prep Academy for Young Men – Englewood
Christina Juarez, Resource Coordinator – John C. Dore Elementary School
Liz Lopez, Recess Coordinator – Adlai E. Stevenson Elementary School
Betina O’Hara, Resource Coordinator – Asa Philip Randolph Elementary School
Gladiz Nava, Resource Coordinator – Louis Pasteur Elementary School
Janet Parrales, Resource Coordinator – Adlai E. Stevenson Elementary School
Elizabeth Piatt, Resource Coordinator – John F. Kennedy High School
Sergio Rodriguez, Resource Coordinator – Gurdon S. Hubbard High School
Bianca Rosado, Resource Coordinator – Irene C. Hernandez Middle School for the Advancement of Science
Jessica Salgado, Resource Coordinator – Charles Gates Dawes Elementary School
Luz Santellano, Resource Coordinator – Durkin Park Elementary School
Monica Wright, Resource Coordinator – Ashburn Community Elementary School

Thank you for all that you do for your school communities! #CoordinatorsRock

DAY 1

Metropolitan’s Resource Coordinators are… HARD WORKING, DEDICATED and SELFLESS!

Our Community School Coordinators embody the “Y” of our Metropolitan FAMILY values, and exhibit a yes-minded approach to meet the needs of their schools and communities.

They look for what is possible and find creative solutions, transforming challenges into viable opportunities. Our current public health crisis has demanded our Coordinators respond quickly as they transition their Out-of-School Time programs to the virtual platform.

This, while providing invaluable in-person resources to our families, such as weekly meal deliveries and backpacks filled with school supplies.

In celebration of Community School Coordinator Appreciation week, we want to give a special shout out the Calumet Center coordinators and clinicians:

DeAndre Allen, Resource Coordinator – Wendell Smith Elementary School
Timara Betts, Mental Health Practitioner – Metcalfe Community Academy
Edith Bucio, Resource Coordinator – Everett F. Kerr Middle School
Shezelle McCaskill, Counselor – Metcalfe Community Academy
Margaret Portia Morgan, Resource Coordinator – Bennett Elementary School
Rosana Reyes, Resource Coordinator – Thomas J. Kellar Middle School
Jayne Storr, Resource Coordinator – Langston Hughes Elementary School
Sylvia Turner, Resource Coordinator – Jesse Owens Community Academy
Meredith Williams, Resource Coordinator – Harlan Community Academy High School

Thank you for all that you do for your school communities! #CoordinatorsRock