Meet our August ELA Dynamic Duo, Amanda Panian, Center Director, and Kellie Kelco, Assistant Director, from The Devine Schools, in Brookside, PA. Amanda and Kellie have worked together for just under a year. Kellie will celebrate her one-year work anniversary with ELA on August 30th. Together they have developed a strong relationship of collaboration, communication, and connection that makes them a dynamic duo!

Q: WHAT MAKES YOUR TEAM CLICK? WHY DO YOU THINK YOU ARE SO SUCCESSFUL?

A: From early on we have established a relationship both on a business and personal level. By building a personal relationship it allows us to be vulnerable and open to each other, which helped us build trust. By enjoying who we work with and what we do, it creates a genuine sense of collaboration and happiness. Therefore, making us a successful team.

Q: WHICH OF THE ELA CORE VALUES RESONATES MOST WITH YOU AND YOUR CENTER?

A: The ELA Core Value that resonates with us is “We hold ourselves to the highest standards of excellence in everything we do.” We strive to keep our school a step above the rest and always reach farther than our goal. The ELA Core Value that resonates with our center is “We are not a place. We are a community.” From us, to staff members and families in our school, we all have a sense of community. We rally together to help those in need weather it is emotionally or physically.

Q: WHAT TIPS WOULD YOU SHARE WITH A NEW CD/AD TEAM?

A:

• Establish work morals and expectations from your program.
• COLLABORATE! Working together strengthens the team at a leadership level which reflects down to the staff.
• Find your strengths and weaknesses and work together to balance each other out.
• Communicate with each other often and ask for help when you need it.
• Treat each other as equals.

Q: OF YOUR TWO-PERSON TEAM, WHICH ONE OF YOU WOULD BE “OFFENSE” AND WHICH ONE WOULD BE “DEFENSE”?

A: Depending on the situation, we continuously reflect off each other to make each situation turn out productive. Again, knowing each other’s strengths and weaknesses helps us to know which side to be on indifferent situations.

Q: IF YOU TWO COULD SHARE A SUPERPOWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

A: Captain Positively Futuristic. We would have the limitless power to stay positive in the hardest conditions imaginable while also fighting off negative vibes. We would also have the ability to see and envision the detailed future and be the company visionary.