Life is an Adventure. Let’s Explore the Journey Together!
In education and expanded learning, we often take the path less traveled – the unpaved trail that leads to exploration and adventure! The BOOST Breakfast Club Blog is excited to spotlight the journeys of the BOOST Leadership and BOOST Ambassador teams in the Fall 2025 Collaborative Blog Series – Share Your Career Journey: Explore the Path We’ve Traveled. Thank you to these important BOOST partners for adventuring into the unknown for the betterment of our youth and communities.
Let’s enjoy the journey with Jill Sisco (She/Her/Hers). Thank you, Jill, for inviting us to join your journey! We appreciate you!
Explore the Path We’ve Traveled with BOOST Ambassador, Jill Sisco (She/Her/Hers)
Jill is the After School Coordinator, K-6th Grade, for the Atlanta Speech School in Atlanta, GA, and is a proud BOOST Ambassador.
What is your career path journey? How did you get involved in the out-of-school time, expanded learning, and/or educational fields?
I started teaching after school enrichment classes in 2008. I loved the positive environment for after school programs and the daily difference it makes for a young child.
What part of your career path has surprised you most?
What has surprised me most in my career path is the excitement I still feel when I work with students, especially when I see them having fun and making friends!
Who has supported you on your journey as a mentor, colleague, or friend?
My director has supported me, and has been an amazing teacher and mentor to me for 8 years. I have learned so much about how to professionally communicate with parents, other staff, and the students we serve.
What keeps you in the field?
The young children keep me in the field. Meeting and working with new students each year and seeing their engagement and progression confirms that out-of-school time is a blessing, and I want to continue my work.
As you continue on the journey, what areas of leadership are you developing in yourself?
As I continue on my journey, I am developing a greater sense of professionalism, awareness, and sensitivity for children and colleagues.
What skills are the most crucial to succeeding in this field?
The skills that I see as most crucial to succeeding in this field are to listen, to engage, and to be highly aware of what my staff needs to be successful, as well as what our young students need each day to thrive and feel a sense of belonging. You must be able to see things from other points of view, to be aware of feelings, thoughts, and ideas that are not what you feel, to understand and respect others, and give them the confidence to succeed.
What would you recommend others pack in their “career backpack”?
Be ready to work hard, harder than you have ever worked before. You can’t “half-way” work with young children and give them tools to be safe, secure, and create a sense of belonging. You must dedicate your time, energy, efforts, and stamina to the work. And yes, it is worth it!
A thousand times!!
Tell us about your BOOST adventure? When did you get started?
My BOOST adventure started this past spring at the 2025 BOOST Conference! It was a life-changing experience both professionally and personally. I am excited every week to work as a BOOST Ambassador!
What is the best mistake you have made in your career? What did you learn from it?
The best mistake I have made in my career is working at 3 schools at the same time. It was exhausting to say the least; however, I met and worked with so many students and staff. I worked with preschool children, elementary, middle, and high school students all in the same time period. I learned different programs and it was amazing!
Today, for breakfast, I had…
Cinnamon Raisin Toast with Cream Cheese, Bananas, and a Coffee!
Jill, from all of us here at TEAMBOOST, thank you for inviting us to explore the path you’ve traveled and journey alongside you. We are excited to see where the adventure will lead as you INSPIRE YOUTH, INSPIRE LEARNING, and INSPIRE CHANGE.
Meredith White
We are so grateful for you, Jill Sisco! Thank you for sharing your passion for people and for the field in your blog post. Your discussion about the ‘best mistake’ you made reminded me of how important it is to show up, be present, and give it our all… and that every experience offers an opportunity to learn if we are willing. I’m going to keep that perspective front of mind and deep in my heart, especially during the busy seasons. Thank you for your leadership! Meredith