Ed Snider Youth Hockey & Education is proud of the work that our staff do on and off the ice. In order to spotlight the outstanding effort they put into the organization, we regularly interview a staff member about their time with Snider.
Our latest Staff Spotlight features Kellie Gallagher, Academic Instructor at Scanlon. Kellie introduced “Story Time with Coach Kellie” at the rink at the end of last season, an effort to get our students reading more!
How did you get involved in your field in the first place?
I began my 35-year teaching career after a teacher friend of mine asked me to come into her classroom to teach a “guest teacher lesson”.
How did you first get involved with Snider?
I was looking for a part-time job to help pay for my daughter’s tuition. I saw the ad online and thought it was exactly the kind of job I was looking for because I love hockey and working with kids.
What is your favorite memory with Snider?
I have so many favorite memories. It’s hard to choose. I guess the two that stand out to me are when Gia from Scanlon rapped the Dr. Suess books during our Saturday Story Time. Another is this past Summer during Girl’s Camp. The girls participated in a Women Entrepreneur week. I was so impressed with the girls and the businesses that they created. It was such a wonderful event with the parents and coaches supporting the businesses. The girls were so proud of themselves.
Who or what inspires you professionally?
Jennifer Serravallo inspires me professionally. It is so hard to get to kids to pick up books and read. She has written a series of professional publications on reading and writing strategies.
What would you say is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is seeing students succeed on and off the ice. Watching them grow up from elementary school years to high school and seeing the progress they make and choices they making for their futures. It is truly inspiring. Getting to know these kids and their families over the years has been very rewarding. Many of these kids and parents have become close friends and extended “family” to me.
What do you enjoy most about working with your colleagues?
I cannot say enough great things about Snider. I love it. I love our whole mission. I am constantly talking about what a wonderful and rewarding place it is to work. Scanlon, my home rink, in particular, it doesn’t even feel like work. It has such a family and friend vibe to it. My co-workers there are like family to me. We are all very supportive of each other.
What’s one project or achievement that you’re particularly proud of?
Getting the kids at Scanlon to read has been a challenge these past couple of years. I started Story Time with Coach Kellie, at the end of last season. We just started it back up again. We read a story book, do a little discussion and then do a craft to go along with the book. It seems like it is starting to take off as more kids have shown interest in attending.
What is one thing you have learned about yourself on the job?
The one thing I have learned about myself on the job is patience. It gets hectic at the academic table especially during the change of ice sessions. There is a lot going on at once so I have learned how to take deep breaths and try to focus on one thing at a time.
