Story by Jen Jordan / February 27, 2024
At which MSS campus do you teach?
Meeting Street – Burns
What is your role and how does your work impact the school?
Director of Operations: The work I do as Director of Operations impacts our school in a variety of ways. Most importantly, I am charged with establishing policies, procedures, and practices that allow daily operations to run effectively and efficiently. Additionally, I lead the Operations Team which should provide the “oxygen” for our students and staff to learn and work in an environment conducive to positive outcomes academically, socially, emotionally, and professionally.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
The most challenging part of my job is finding the right “recipe” for what’s best for students, staff, families, and the Dorchester-Waylyn Community. At the forefront of every decision, policy, procedure, etc…, I am tasked with asking, “Is this what’s best for students?” and then prioritizing next steps as it applies to staff, families, and our schoolwide community. If I lose sleep over anything, it’s asking if I made the right decision or supported my team the best I possibly could regarding any matter.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is when I see teachers getting to do what they do best, which is teach, with little to no barriers. Unfortunately, I cannot prevent every barrier to teachers’ success in the classroom but when I see something my team accomplishes that facilitates students’ learning and teachers’ teaching, then I know we are doing the right work!
Why did you choose to work at Meeting Street Schools?
After years teaching in traditional public schools and supporting the work of a local non-profit, Meeting Street Schools appealed to me because it is the intersection of providing a great education with the holistic approach to supporting students, families, and our community.
What makes Meeting Street Schools different?
The thing that stands out to me as making Meeting Street Schools different than any other Pre-K through 12 educational organization is we literally put our money where our mouth is in regards to changing the educational landscape for students and teachers. Too often, those in “power” talk about what needs to be done to make education great. Meeting Street Schools has taken the “talk” and done the work needed to make our schools the place where students excel, teachers are recognized for their continuous hard work, and the commitment to families doesn’t stop after 12th grade.
If you were to write a letter to yourself during your first year of working to give yourself advice, what would you say?
Hey you! You took the first step to get out of your comfort zone and try something new. I have great news! In 5 years you won’t believe how this school and organization invest in you and your personal and professional growth. Here are a few things to remember along the way!
1. Be vulnerable! Admitting your weaknesses, strengths, and everything in between is OKAY! Speak up when you feel like you need or want to and know that you won’t be judged.
2. Be accountable! Hold yourself and others accountable, even when it gets uncomfortable. You are all responsible for doing what’s best for students, so lean in and be in it with everyone all the time.
3. Know your boundaries and be non-judgemental! You don’t know them yet but you will. When you get that feeling in the pit of your stomach when something happens or someone says something, its okay. Lean in with curiosity and name what you need to be successful or how to address situations in the future.
Join a community of incredible, passionate people working to change the lives of our students. Our compensation and benefits are a cut above the rest: the most competitive total compensation in the region.
Start Your Career!Meeting Street Schools (MSS) is an innovative non-profit where schools, families, and the community collaborate to create environments where all children can achieve their full potential. With a network of schools across South Carolina, including MSA-Charleston (Charleston, SC), MSA-Spartanburg (Spartanburg, SC), MS-Brentwood (North Charleston, SC), MS-Burns (North Charleston, SC), and MS-Jasper & Beaufort (Jasper, SC), we are committed to providing students with the rigorous education they deserve.
Founded on the principle that every child deserves an excellent education regardless of their socio-economic background, Meeting Street Schools has been a beacon of hope and a testament to what's possible in education. Our schools are driven by a strong focus on student achievement, evidence-based instruction, and relentless support of our students and their families.
While united by our shared mission, each MSS campus, is unique in its character, tapping into the local spirit of the communities they serve. Explore each of our schools and discover how they're creating a brighter future for students in South Carolina.
Nestled in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, MSA Charleston is more than just a school—it’s a hub for innovative learning and community engagement. As part of the Meeting Street Schools network, MSA Charleston embodies a commitment to excellence through its rigorous academic programs, inclusive culture, and focus on developing the whole child. With a curriculum that emphasizes both academic and personal growth, MSA Charleston prepares students to be curious learners and active citizens of their community.
MSA Spartanburg stands as a pillar of educational innovation in the Spartanburg community. The school’s dedicated educators and supportive learning environment ensure that each child receives a high-quality, personalized education with exceptional faculty and teachers. MSA Spartanburg is distinguished by its emphasis on community partnership, fostering relationships that extend beyond the classroom to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.
MS Brentwood is a place where education meets opportunity. Serving the Brentwood area, this school is a testament to the transformative power of education. With a student-centered approach that celebrates diversity and encourages excellence, MS Brentwood is dedicated to equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. MS Brentwood also serves as a hub for the Brentwood community to access educational and wellness services. The school’s commitment to innovation, coupled with a warm, welcoming environment, makes it a standout in the MSS network.
Located in a community rich with history and culture, MS Burns is renowned for its dynamic educational approach that intertwines traditional learning with modern teaching techniques. The school’s focus on experiential learning ensures that students at MS Burns are not only recipients of knowledge but also active participants in their educational journey. MS Burns exists to spark an educational revolution for the students and families in the Dorchester-Waylyn Neighborhood in North Charleston. With a commitment to creating a supportive and challenging academic environment, MS Burns is forging a new path in public education.
MS Jasper represents the Meeting Street Schools’ dedication to community-based education with a global perspective. The school provides a nurturing environment where students are encouraged to explore their potential and cultivate a love for learning. With its diverse programs such as Eureka Math, and Wit and Wisdom, MS Jasper puts a major emphasis on character development, specialized learning and equips students to become thoughtful, engaged members of society, reflecting the MSS ethos of empowerment through education.
“MSA is a family. Once you’re in, you’re in. They said they would follow our kids from K-3 to college and they actually lived up to what they said they would do. Not only did MSA challenge my daughter academically but it also exposed her to new things that she probably wouldn’t have been exposed to at our previous neighborhood school. Our journey at MSA was exciting and rewarding. They actually walk the walk.”
“We come into work everyday truly believing that our students are capable of achieving anything that is put in front of them. Here at MSS, students are provided the opportunity to achieve success through the facilitation of well-educated teachers, resources, and a responsive classroom school environment.”
Meeting Street Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, or national or ethnic in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships or loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs.
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