In City Connects schools across the nation and in Ireland, students are being connected with the out-of-school supports they need to thrive. City Connects Coordinators are on the front lines, working with students, teachers, families, and community partners to identify and support students’ strengths and needs.
Behind the scenes, there is a whole network of people supporting the Coordinators. Program Managers oversee Coordinators in their school districts or regional areas, and offer ongoing support throughout the year. City Connects Coaches support Program Managers and Regional Implementation Leads, providing coaching sessions, professional development opportunities, and in-person support.
Jen Bouckaert, City Connects’ Lead Manager of Coaching and Networks, meets virtually with the Program Managers she supports at least once a week. She also makes frequent trips to visit in-person.
“Sometimes, if I’m really lucky, I get to observe Whole Class Review meetings. That really helps me see how I can best coach the Program Manager, who then coaches the Coordinators. We can talk about what their next steps could be, what they noticed from their observation, what they see from their perspective of working in the district compared to what I might see from a City Connects lens,” said Bouckaert.
Bouckaert collaborates with Program Managers to review data from Whole Class Reviews, brainstorm services that could meet the students’ strengths, needs, and interests, and talk about how to support students on the individual, classroom, and school levels.
“In Poughkeepsie, they just started a partnership with an organization called the Art Effect, and now kids are getting fun, enriching art services after school. That’s part of what came out of doing the Whole Class Reviews. Getting to hear about programs like this or stories about impacts on a kid or a family—that’s what I love about this work. Seeing how we are moving in the right direction and making an impact, it fills up my tank,” said Bouckaert.
“Seeing how we are moving in the right direction and making an impact, it fills up my tank,” said Bouckaert.
“What I most value about my partnership with our City Connects coach Jen, is our shared commitment to creating a cohesive pipeline of resources and services for the Poughkeepsie City School District. She not only understands the vision, but proactively and seamlessly engages in the work, helping to build strong, lasting systems of support for every student and family. As a Program Manager, her support is priceless and valued beyond words,” said Diandria Williams, Program Manager for City Connects in Poughkeepsie.
Cynthia Scheller, City Connects’ Director of Student Support Programs and Practice, coaches Program Managers and Implementation Leads across the nation and in Ireland.
“We just got back from Indiana where we went to three schools and got to view an Individual Student Review meeting, sit down with a Coordinator and Executive Director to hear how things were going, and talk with a Coordinator who is new this year to hear how our induction training had prepared her for implementation. It’s always good to get feedback so we can improve as well,” said Scheller. “I love going out for visits and hearing about how our coaching and professional development have helped Program Managers and Coordinators connect kids to services. When you know that differences are being made, it fuels your fire.”
Scheller, a former school principal herself, especially appreciates any opportunity to support Program Managers’ connection with principals.
“There is some magic that happens when you support a Program Manager in showing a principal how City Connects can help support their priorities and even make them more robust. It’s so important because without buy-in from the principal you’re not going to impact as many students as we need to,” Scheller said.
“There is some magic that happens when you support a Program Manager in showing a principal how City Connects can help support their priorities and even make them more robust,” Scheller said.
Stephanie Sanabria, Program Manager in Springfield, MA, has been working with her Coach, Jillian O’Neil, for three years. She says their weekly scheduled coaching calls and impromptu conversations have been an anchor for her work.
“Our check-ins allow me to stay grounded in the work I’m doing and stay focused on certain elements that if I didn’t have that frequent touchpoint, I may lose sight of. This is really helpful, valuable, protected time, and it keeps me on track as I juggle so many things. Jill really understands my mindset,” said Sanabria. “This model was helpful for me when I was a new Program Manager needing guidance and direction, and it continues to be supportive because it has involved with my needs. I have foundational skills and know what to expect, but there are constantly things that come up, so it’s amazing to have that frequent and consistent support.”
O’Neil also coaches Liz Yoder, the Program Manager in Salem, MA, who deeply appreciates her coaching sessions.
“What I value most about working with Jill is the candid and objective environment she fosters. Jill serves both as a strategic sounding board for navigating professional challenges; and as a dedicated champion for my successes,” said Yoder.
In addition to building strong relationships with Program Managers, Coaches also facilitate important connections among the Program Managers. Program Managers from across the US and Ireland meet for monthly virtual meetings, and all come together in person every June. Coaches ensure that this time is used to work together in a learning community.
“We give them time to talk with one another. We talk about problems of practice that many of them are facing. They can all relate to each other,” said Bouckaert.
“When you get like-minded people in a room, they can share resources and draw upon the expertise of others,” said Scheller. “It’s so important to have that professional learning community so Program Managers don’t feel like they’re alone. They can see that people from across the country and even in Dublin, Ireland, have the same issues in education. They are trying to solve many of the same problems.”
Like so many of the strengths of the City Connects practice, the power of Coaches and Program Managers comes down to strong relationships.
“That human-to-human connection is very important. Our practice is not plug-and-play. It’s about really looking at that student holistically. So just keeping that human touch and having those conversations and problem-solving together is a strength of our practice,” said Scheller.
“We’ve got great people. I have not come across a Program Manager who does not have heart or passion. That’s why they’re in this and I am in it for the same reason. It’s hard work that they’re doing. Sometimes they are working within systems and structures that are just so hard, but they figure it out, they push through. There is a lot of perseverance within the Program Manager team,” said Bouckaert.
