This week we celebrate the work of people who drive the Missouri Afterschool Network’s mission to sustain high-quality afterschool programs: afterschool professionals.
The mobilizers of our amazing afterschool programs make a deep impact on the lives of youth- and it’s important they gain recognition for their around-the-clock work.
Our staff never stop making an impact and Rep. Jeff Coleman knows it.
“Sometimes it is hard to know all the things staff do because they do such a great job with their kids. There’s so much planning involved there, and just like the teachers they have to plan for the school year and the summer too.”
Rep. Coleman, an avid afterschool advocate, is personally aware of what it takes for a professional to change the lives of afterschool youth. His wife, Debbie Coleman, is a site coordinator at The Valley Kids Before and After School Program. He remembers wishing there were more recognition for staff, like his wife, who work day in and day out.
“It’s important to recognize these afterschool staff members are year-round. They go to school every day, including during the summer. And when it comes to school closures because of the weather, who’s still at school working? It’s afterschool staff.” 
As a previous vice president of the Grain Valley School Board, Rep. Coleman made it a priority to educate the administration about the work of afterschool professionals. He advocated for a regulation allowing afterschool staff to be treated equally during times of severe weather.
Rep. Coleman invites all of us to remember appreciation and gratitude toward our hard-working afterschool professionals not just this week, but year-round.
“It’s all about reminding folks that they are part of our system.”
Thank you to all our astounding afterschool professionals who are preparing our leaders of tomorrow.
