Erika Spellman enjoys helping people and found her perfect fit as the school-to-work coordinator at Mountlake Terrace High School.
Q: How, or why, did you decide to work in your current job?
A: I am a “helper” by nature. I have worked for the Edmonds School District for over 10 years because I truly enjoy working with high school students. I left for a year to take on the private sector, but as you can see, I found my way back to the students. I am passionate about helping students achieve their dream of attending college or post-secondary training and assisting them in figuring out “what they want to be when they grow up.”
Q: What convinced you that this was the job for you?
A: Like I said, I left to go tackle the private sector after receiving my master’s degree and go make big bucks – but I was miserable the entire time. I missed my students and the staff and “family,” as I like to think of it, in Edmonds.
I could not get out of Seattle fast enough. I took it as a sign – I was supposed to be back where I belonged, submerged in all of the craziness that is a high school and working with students to help them become something bigger and better.
Q: What does it take to blend your passion with your livelihood?
A: Balance and paying attention to the little things! I have two young boys, a 5-year-old and 1-year-old, and they are busy! However they make it easy for me. I look at them and what I want for my children in their life and then I go to work and I think about how many of my students do not have what my boys do at home. I am reminded daily that I might just be that one person who says the right thing at the right time for that student at Mountlake Terrace High School. My job is not about immediate gratification. The rewards of my job come later, sometimes years later, but every minute is worth it!
Q: What are the crucial elements for success for your business?
A: Being realistic, knowing how to ask the right questions and who to ask them of, knowing how to navigate the system efficiently and building positive and lasting relationships with students and co-workers.
Q: What has been your biggest challenge and how did you meet it?
A: Saying “no.” It is not easy to turn down an opportunity in education, especially with all of the budget cuts that are taking place. Many times I find myself agreeing to take on yet another task or job for the sake of potentially not being able to have it again. I do not like to pass up opportunities for students that might make a difference. However, there is only one of me and hundreds of them. I think I am still trying to figure out how to take on my challenge of saying “no”! (Smile.)
Q: How did your friends and family react when you told them you were getting into this business?
A: No one was surprised. They all know I am passionate about helping people. It just turns out that I am passionate about helping students achieve their educational and career dreams.
Q: What motivates you?
A: When I see students come in to my office in tears that they got their college acceptance letter, or their first job, or by the simple fact that they came in to just start talking about their future – seeing the light bulb go on! I am so inspired by my students every day. Today’s high school students are under an extreme amount of pressure to graduate. They have test scores, end-of-course exams, senior projects, volunteer hours, work, siblings to support, sports, grades and then on top of all of it they have SATs, ACTs, college essays and applications and then they have to figure out a way to pay for college. Watching them go through all of this in today’s economy gives me the extra boost of motivation I need daily to help support them that much more!
Q: What personal abilities do you think are needed to excel in your line of work?
A: Patience, organization, balance and compassion. There are so many challenges facing education today and daily obstacles that stand in the way. You have to know how to get around and navigate. I ask a lot of questions and I keep a very detailed and organized work space. I also remember to be realistic with my students and have compassion. You have to be able to put yourself in their shoes and make them feel comfortable. You can get a lot farther in this business if you just show a little compassion.
Q: When you’re not working, how do you enjoy spending your time?
A: When I am not working I am with my boys running around outside and playing Hot Wheels and Legos. And, when they let me, I enjoy practicing yoga and eating good food with my husband!
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