Rebecca Malotke-Meslin
Rebecca is the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Avery Coonley School for the gifted in Downers Grove. She is married with two sons, lives in Naperville and also blogs at www.sistersconsuminglife.blogspot.com.
Q: What is your background and what led you to admissions and education?
A: My educational background is in Sociology and Women’s & Gender Studies. Like many liberal arts majors, I found my degree prepared me for a variety of careers. I worked in several civil service positions and for non-profit organizations before landing in schools. Admissions in independent schools is a combination of sales, marketing, and counseling, but it all starts with a passion of education. Families come to independent schools because they are searching for the best environment for their child. I love speaking with parents, learning about their child, and educating them about their educational options.
Q: You work full-time, you’re a mom to two young children, you blog. How do you do it?
A: I have a village to help me. My husband, Jason, is an amazing father to my children and mentor to me. Our families live out-of-state, so we have a “family” of local friends who are a great source of love and support. I have a nanny who also cares for my children and helps keep me on top of things. I have no problem asking for help! A busy mom is a good thing, but a stressed out mom is not. I want to set the best example for my children. I want them to see me happily pursuing my dreams so they know what that looks like. It is easy to sacrifice self-care in the name of being a good mom. But, being a good mom means staying mentally healthy and happy. So, I make time for my passions – cooking, blogging, and running.
Q: You recently wrote a blog for the Chamber about the “World’s Okayest Mom.” What can you tell us about that? A: A perfect balance doesn’t exist, so stop making that your goal. Instead, resolve to be in the moment with your family, and be in the moment at work. It is the only way to feel competent!
Q: What is your involvement in the Chamber, WIB and community?
A: The Avery Coonley School joined the Chamber about a year and a half ago. Naperville Chamber has a wonderful reputation for programs. As soon as we joined, I found so many opportunities for hands-on involvement. The WIB group offered the opportunity to network with other business women and also support non-profits serving Naperville such as Bridge Communities.
Q: Tell us one thing most people don't know about you.
A: I can drive a stick shift very well. I grew up in a car family and my parents wouldn’t let me get my license until I could drive a manual and an automatic. I happened to learn on a supped-up mustang, and so began my love of fast cars and the power and control that comes from a manual transmission.
Q: What are you most proud of?
A: The way in which I’m raising my boys. Since becoming a parent, my greatest responsibility in this world is to raise kind, compassionate children.
Q: Finish the sentence, “recruitment is like…”
A: Putting together a puzzle. Recruiting new students for an existing class means understanding each and every child in that class in order to find the exact student to complement them. Our school provides a group of like-minded peers for gifted learners and the right dynamic within the classroom is essential for the success of every child.
By: Faith Behr, Behr Communications
Behr Communications is a marketing PR firm that helps businesses find and build new audiences, raise awareness and connect with their customers. We offer a range of communications marketing capabilities: social media, digital marketing, direct mail, graphic design, public relations, website development and government relations. We know that successful marketing is built on three essential elements, sound strategy, thoughtful execution and genuine relationships.
www.behrcommunications.com
Photo by: Stolen Moment Photography, a local business, owned by 20-year Naperville resident, Colleen Abrahamovich. What Colleen captures best are candid moments! Most of what she specializes in are the “stolen moments” that happen when no one else is watching; that’s when the magic happens. Colleen is available for events such as Candid Wedding Photos, any types of party celebrations, Family Reunions, Sporting Events, etc. Colleen loves children and family photo ops too, in a relaxed, candid setting! Starting out shooting mostly sports, Colleen has 12 years of experience shooting all levels of sporting events; high school, college level, and even the NFL! Sports is not just action, it’s an event. Colleen specializes not only in getting the action, but the subtle nuances that are happening in and around the event.
Please visit: www.StolenMoment.Photography and on Facebook: Stolen Moment Photography. Colleen can be reached at 630.947.3714 and Colleen@stolenmoment.photography
Rebecca is the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Avery Coonley School for the gifted in Downers Grove. She is married with two sons, lives in Naperville and also blogs at www.sistersconsuminglife.blogspot.com.
Q: What is your background and what led you to admissions and education?
A: My educational background is in Sociology and Women’s & Gender Studies. Like many liberal arts majors, I found my degree prepared me for a variety of careers. I worked in several civil service positions and for non-profit organizations before landing in schools. Admissions in independent schools is a combination of sales, marketing, and counseling, but it all starts with a passion of education. Families come to independent schools because they are searching for the best environment for their child. I love speaking with parents, learning about their child, and educating them about their educational options.
Q: You work full-time, you’re a mom to two young children, you blog. How do you do it?
A: I have a village to help me. My husband, Jason, is an amazing father to my children and mentor to me. Our families live out-of-state, so we have a “family” of local friends who are a great source of love and support. I have a nanny who also cares for my children and helps keep me on top of things. I have no problem asking for help! A busy mom is a good thing, but a stressed out mom is not. I want to set the best example for my children. I want them to see me happily pursuing my dreams so they know what that looks like. It is easy to sacrifice self-care in the name of being a good mom. But, being a good mom means staying mentally healthy and happy. So, I make time for my passions – cooking, blogging, and running.
Q: You recently wrote a blog for the Chamber about the “World’s Okayest Mom.” What can you tell us about that? A: A perfect balance doesn’t exist, so stop making that your goal. Instead, resolve to be in the moment with your family, and be in the moment at work. It is the only way to feel competent!
Q: What is your involvement in the Chamber, WIB and community?
A: The Avery Coonley School joined the Chamber about a year and a half ago. Naperville Chamber has a wonderful reputation for programs. As soon as we joined, I found so many opportunities for hands-on involvement. The WIB group offered the opportunity to network with other business women and also support non-profits serving Naperville such as Bridge Communities.
Q: Tell us one thing most people don't know about you.
A: I can drive a stick shift very well. I grew up in a car family and my parents wouldn’t let me get my license until I could drive a manual and an automatic. I happened to learn on a supped-up mustang, and so began my love of fast cars and the power and control that comes from a manual transmission.
Q: What are you most proud of?
A: The way in which I’m raising my boys. Since becoming a parent, my greatest responsibility in this world is to raise kind, compassionate children.
Q: Finish the sentence, “recruitment is like…”
A: Putting together a puzzle. Recruiting new students for an existing class means understanding each and every child in that class in order to find the exact student to complement them. Our school provides a group of like-minded peers for gifted learners and the right dynamic within the classroom is essential for the success of every child.
By: Faith Behr, Behr Communications
Behr Communications is a marketing PR firm that helps businesses find and build new audiences, raise awareness and connect with their customers. We offer a range of communications marketing capabilities: social media, digital marketing, direct mail, graphic design, public relations, website development and government relations. We know that successful marketing is built on three essential elements, sound strategy, thoughtful execution and genuine relationships.
www.behrcommunications.com
Photo by: Stolen Moment Photography, a local business, owned by 20-year Naperville resident, Colleen Abrahamovich. What Colleen captures best are candid moments! Most of what she specializes in are the “stolen moments” that happen when no one else is watching; that’s when the magic happens. Colleen is available for events such as Candid Wedding Photos, any types of party celebrations, Family Reunions, Sporting Events, etc. Colleen loves children and family photo ops too, in a relaxed, candid setting! Starting out shooting mostly sports, Colleen has 12 years of experience shooting all levels of sporting events; high school, college level, and even the NFL! Sports is not just action, it’s an event. Colleen specializes not only in getting the action, but the subtle nuances that are happening in and around the event.
Please visit: www.StolenMoment.Photography and on Facebook: Stolen Moment Photography. Colleen can be reached at 630.947.3714 and Colleen@stolenmoment.photography