BOOST turns 15 – celebrate with us!
As we near our 15-year anniversary, we are reminded of how much we value and appreciate our TEAMBOOST partners and want you to meet them. Learn more about our team members and their journeys through the in and out-of-school time field, their goals and aspirations, a few fun things about them, and some of the amazing things they are doing in their communities.
We will be featuring our BOOST Bloggers, Ambassadors, Leadership Team members, and Partners weekly through the end of November to thank our wonderful team members for their contributions to our incredible community!
Meet BOOST Leadership Team member Meredith White
Meredith is the Supervisor of Expanded Learning Programs at Brea Olinda Unified School District in Brea, CA. She has been a BOOST Leadership Team member since 2017!
How did you enter the OST, expanded learning, and/or educational field?
I had recently transitioned from a non-profit volunteer recruitment role and was investigating options of becoming a credentialed classroom teacher. I needed additional work and a friend of mine was hiring for his after school program. I applied… and the rest is history.
What motivates you to do this work?
The opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children, families, and our communities. The educational field (including OST, Expanded, and Early Learning) is vital to the shaping of our kids – emotionally, socially, civically, and academically. Communicating the value to key community stakeholders in order to bring about positive change is what motivates me to do the work.
What are you currently reading or watching?
Currently reading “Love as a Business Strategy: Resilience, Belonging & Success” by Mohammad F. Anwar, Frank E. Danna, Jeffrey F. Ma, Christopher J. Pitre
Share some of your greatest accomplishments.
Being a member of the BOOST Leadership Team. Completing my Masters of Science degree in Management and Leadership. Giving my all to be a good daughter, a good sister, and a good friend.
What are some big goals you are working toward?
Currently enrolled in a Masters of Jurisprudence in Children’s Law and Policy – big goal is completion by December of 2023.
What are your top three leadership qualities?
Compassion, Empathy, Integrity (and Service)
Name a leader that you admire and why?
Melissa Perez (California Afterschool Network) – Melissa never gives up. She is a leader who focuses on the constant improvement of programming in order to do great things for kids. She is committed, loyal, kind, and resilient. She leads the charge, not only from the front but also from the back.
Share an inspirational quote that resonates with you.
Every kid is one caring adult away from being a success story. – Josh Shipp
As a child, what were your career aspirations?
My earliest recollection? Definitely wanted to be a ballerina! Then a Kindergarten Teacher, a Pediatrician, an Archeologist and finally… President of the United States. I’m glad that none of those worked out. :]
What causes are you passionate about?
Student leadership and youth voice
What is one of the highlights of your career?
Becoming the CDS Supervisor.
How do you show kindness to others and/or share ways others have shown kindness to you?
I show kindness to others by standing in the gap – whether that is through staffing, offering expertise or knowledge, or simply listening, there are always ways I can show up for others!
What career legacy do you want to leave?
That our greatest asset is our staff, that programming should be student-centered, and that OST and Expanded Learning will change the world.
What’s the biggest mistake you made on the job and what did you learn from it?
Naivety and insensitivity that led to some challenging conversations and growth opportunities through restorative justice. I learned to trust my instinct, to apologize, and to be better while building my own community of trusted advisors and allies.
Tell us what you had for breakfast!
Coffee with White Chocolate creamer
From all of us here at TEAMBOOST, thank you, Meredith, for being part of the BOOST Leadership Team and for sharing your story with us!