Shanna Rucker Controller
I came to work at the Schlechty Center as a staff accountant employed by the Center's accounting and auditing firm. Having come from the very structured world of public accounting where the billable hour is king, I experienced culture shock when I accepted the position of controller in 1999. I am especially appreciative of the management style of the organization. There are no micro-managers, no strict reporting requirements, no direct supervision of my daily job duties; rather, a great deal of trust is given to staff members. There is meaning to our work and conviction from our leadership.
I work every day with our partner school districts; it is important to me that our clients feel comfortable in their financial arrangements with the Center. My belief is that I can help make change in public education happen by creating relationships with school leaders, relationships in which they feel I am a trusted and caring advocate, thus allowing them to concentrate more deeply on the work of transformation. I try to remove the financial worry from them as much as I can, freeing them to think about the change they'd like to see happen in their classrooms, schools, and communities.
Our Support Team
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Darlene Settles Production Manager
I began working here in 1995. I work as the production manager, ensuring all of our conference and on-site materials are of high quality... Meet Darlene
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Diane Chambers Administrative Assistant
The staff’s dedication to children’s school experiences is inspiring. My role is to exemplify that dedication... Meet Diane
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Jennifer Schlechty Director of Technology
I have a passion for using technology to bring people together—to share ideas, to communicate. I'm passionate about the world as a grand society... Meet Jennifer
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Joanie Wimsatt Graphic Designer
As a graphic designer I work with our senior associates to create the materials they use each day with teachers, principals, and district leaders... Meet Joanie
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John Pasikowski Event Manager
I came to work here after spending eight years in the hotel industry. My experience taught me the value of humility and attention to detail... Meet John
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Kim Vidrine Editor
I came to work at the Schlechty Center after 15 years as a teacher, librarian, and literacy coach in public schools. Very early on, I felt... Meet Kim
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Nicole Bigg Director of Communications
As a high school student, I served as a student representative on the first large-scale district assessment the Center conducted. It was... Meet Nicole
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Shanna Rucker Controller
I came to work at the Schlechty Center as a staff accountant employed by the Center's accounting and auditing firm. Having come from the... Meet Shanna
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Tena Lutz Conference Coordinator
I was involved with the Schlechty Center even before it was created. I met Phil in 1984 when I was an employee working in the area of personnel... Meet Tena
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Vanessa Pfeiffer Assistant to Controller
In my work with clients, my goal is to provide them with the best possible experience; I consider each conversation an opportunity... Meet Vanessa