October 27, 2013
Life is fluid and ever changing. Grab the bull by the horns and go for it. Do what you enjoy.
With a background in education, I learned such a wide variety of skills during my years as a classroom teacher. Aside from being a parent, teaching is definitely the most challenging career, as well as one filled with almost limitless opportunities and possibilities.
When I stopped teaching to stay at home with my daughter, I began a new occupation as a freelance writer for the Daily Herald. Writing community interest stories for 15 years enabled me to get to know the community in ways I never would have, otherwise. In addition to honing and building on my skills as a writer, I met over a thousand interesting and unique people, many of whom became good friends.
When freelance opportunities began to slow down, I started exploring other opportunities. For years I volunteered with Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors, a Jewish community group in Geneva, IL. As this nonprofit organization grew and expanded, the need for a paid administrator arose, and I moved into that position, bringing my writing and communication skills with me. Being a self-starter, I quickly learned how to do the bookkeeping and additional administrative duties.
This job grew and grew, and eventually turned into my being the executive director of FVJN. I continue to grow in this position, and have adopted many new skills, including strategic planning and grant writing. The brunt of this position enables me to continue using my writing, communication and networking skills.
As this is a small nonprofit for which I work part-time, I took on another job earlier this year, as marketing manager for Fine Line Creative Arts Center, in St. Charles, IL. I continue to utilize those same skills at the heart of the executive director position, and I have also learned how to develop advertising campaigns as well as how to actively market a business.
Writing is truly at the heart of what I do, and during the past year I also wrote and published a children's book, "To Where the Wind Takes Me," illustrated by the talented artist Vladimir Pailodze. I'm so glad I took the time to jump in and do that project, as I love what we produced.
I am also married to the most wonderful husband, Mike Yackley, and we have a smart, funny, kind and beautiful daughter, Rebecca.
This is what I do. This is what I love.
Always open to new experiences, I invite you to contact me to see what we can work on, together.
