Career Inspiration and Insights with Nicole Baitx Kennedy

Inspire Youth. Inspire Learning. Inspire Change.

In and out-of-school time leaders take unique pathways on their experiential journeys, and these journeys are worth spotlighting! Turning to our field specialists, TEAMBOOST is proud to feature their stories centered in Career Inspiration and Insights. Our fifth and final feature is BOOST Partner, past BOOST Leadership Team Member, and BOOST Conference On-Site Super-Support, Nicole Baitx Kennedy (She/her/hers). 

Thank you, Nicole, for sharing your story with the BOOST community! We appreciate you!

Career Insights and Inspiration with Nicole Baitx Kennedy (She/her/hers)

Nicole is a TEAMBOOST partner and the Executive Director of Broadoaks School of Whittier College in Whittier, CA.

In high school, I took an ROP class focused on child development while also working with my school district’s after school program. It was a LONG time ago, when studies were showing that school age children were going home to empty houses. These opportunities helped me realize how fun the job was, and even more importantly, how AMAZING kids are! Over the years, I took ECE & Human Development courses to advance my knowledge. It was a great job to have while going to school.

A day in the life – what does your day-to-day schedule look like?

Currently, I spend quite a bit of time researching data to support programming – what is working, what may need to change, and how we can reach our goals.  But the best part is when I go into the classes and see the youth engaging in a healthy, safe environment

What time of your program year do you look forward to the most?

How has support and/or leadership from others helped you get to where you are now in your career?

Mentors have really helped me. Their knowledge and experience have helped guide me and given me support during difficult situations.  It is important to have others in the field (or your life) who see your potential. 

Tell us about a goal you have for this school year. How will you know that you have accomplished it?

One goal is to plan my work daily, weekly, and monthly. This will help reduce extended work hours, which will allow me to enjoy quality time outside of work hours, so I’m ready and refreshed when I’m back in the office. I will know that this is working because my workload will be scheduled, tasks are getting completed, and this will also reduce stress.

What motivates you to do this work?

I believe that every child deserves to know they are loved, that they are important, and they are provided with skills to navigate this ever-changing world.  “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” – Frederick Douglass

What is one of the highlights of your career? Why?

So many!!! When I’m able to see children and families benefit from the work done behind the scenes.  And honestly, children say the coolest things! There is never a dull moment.

What’s the biggest mistake you made on the job and what did you learn from it?

I’m constantly learning, and I’ve made many mistakes. I’ve always learned something from difficult situations. I will always advocate for the children!

What is the biggest challenge facing your program today?

Having the world understand the gift we have in young people and that we MUST INVEST in them ALL! We all have a purpose! OST programs are a super place to explore interests and to find purpose.

Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader? Maybe someone who has been a mentor to you? How did this person impact your life?

James Stephens gave us the space to be people and share who we are with our kids.  He was forward-thinking, and always put the kids and families at the center of our WHY.

Today for breakfast I had…

Goldfish crackers and a banana.

Nicole, from all of us here at TEAMBOOST, thank you for sharing your insight and inspiring us. We are grateful for our continued partnership as we center youth voice and create positive change in our communities!