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March 7 was Employee Appreciation Day, but we’re celebrating our team members all month long by sharing their stories. Read more about Jennifer Beverage, an Office Manager at our Rivermont Northern Virginia campus. 

What is your favorite thing about working here? 

I’m a problem-solver. I love a good project; something that I can dedicate time, focus and hard work on. I feel like every day I’m finding the solutions to problems, and it’s keeping my brain active. 

What keeps you coming to work each day?  

Just knowing that each day is different and that there’s going to be a new problem that I can help someone with to lessen their load. 

How do you make an impact on students’ lives?  

As a Medication Administration Training for Youth (MATY) staff, I’m there when students are sick. As an Office Manager, I’m there to smile and wave as they walk by. As a member of the photography committee, I’m there to document their year and compile a yearbook for their memories. 

Which one of our BetterTogether values resonates with you most personally and why? (Integrity, Accountable, Collaborative, Inclusive, Supportive)  

Out of all of the BetterTogether values, I resonate most with supportive as I am supporting the staff any way that I can; from parent contact to building maintenance. 

What does a “day in the life” look like for your role?   

Before arrival is the best time for staff to ask me for anything as I have the most wiggle room in the morning. My morning is filled with emails and calls from parents letting me know the status of their student if they are going to be absent or late. Most of the day is filled with administering medication to students, paying invoices, reconciling the expense report, adjusting attendance, placing orders for supplies/snacks and maintaining and submitting building repair requests. I also handle things like maintenance on the laminator and printer, monitoring, and routing phone calls, greeting guests as they enter, assisting with IT problems, filing, fixing timecard issues, coordinating transportation, and managing annual registration. Whenever anything else is needed, I’m the go-to person. 

Can you talk a little bit about your career trajectory and what led you to where you are now?  

I worked as a medical receptionist for 10 years, part of which was in a pediatric therapy center. Seeing the growth of the students we served was very rewarding. Being a part of a community that supports students’ development and success has made the position I’m in even more of a bonus. 

What has been your proudest moment or accomplishment in your role?  

Being asked to be a mentor to the new Office Managers was an unexpected achievement that I am proud of. I’m grateful to be able to help in any way that I can, and it’s good to know that I’m doing a job worthy enough to spread my knowledge and tips. 

What is something about you that not many people know?  

The whites of my eyes turn grey when I get sick. It was hard to fake being sick as a child.