AfterSchool of Thought

We've all seen those ads while scrolling online that pull us in and makes us want to learn more.

Christine Javier, Educational Consultant for and Founder of the Learning Ridge, LLC, offers insight on her favorite hotspots near the Convention site at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.

Christine Javier, Educational Consultant for and Founder of the Learning Ridge, LLC, offers insight on her favorite hotspots near the Convention site at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.

As a teenage driver in a small rural town, life was simple: Stop. Look both ways. Proceed with caution.

Two things learned throughout my career:

1. Language is powerful.
2. Great leaders never stop learning.

Afterschool professionals know the importance of one caring adult in the life of a child. Research and anecdotes show that knowledgeable and skilled staff are crucial to quality afterschool programs that result in positive youth outcomes; relationships between adults and youth are key.

My daughter just finished her last year of elementary school. Next year, middle school will be a big, scary, exciting (fill in with any adjective you want—I think they all work!) transition for her and our family.

Lately I've had some great conversations with organizations who are considering marketing their offerings to the afterschool market. They've had success in other educational markets and see afterschool as a viable opportunity.

Last year I wrote a blog titled "What's Afterschool Reading this Summer?" That's what I intended to do before I got sidetracked reflecting on a recent change in my reading habits. Four times a year the National AfterSchool Association publishes AfterSchool Today, a magazine written by and for the afterschool field.

I was born in Washington state and spent most of my life in the Pacific Northwest, surrounded by Seattle Seahawks fans. In 2006, I moved to the East Coast and married into a family who bleeds the green of the Philadelphia Eagles. Since then, I've had two favorite bird teams. The past couple of years have been especially interesting, not only because these two bird teams have gone head to head several times, but because of the focus on the leadership provided by the coaches of each organization.