FEBRuary Member SPOTLIGHT |
Meet Shannon Benedek, M.E.d, CEFL Program
& Communications Manager Shannon graduated from the University of Missouri- St. Louis with a Master of Education. She was a former educator and has over 15 years’ experience in marketing and communications. SEF brings together both of her worlds in helping support students with disabilities across St. Louis County. She is passionate about making a difference in the lives of others both personally and professionally and SEF helps her to provide the tools and resources for others to succeed. |
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What led you to join NAEF?
"The CEFL program allowed me to further my experience in nonprofits and further my success as a Foundation leader."
What do you find most rewarding about being part of NAEF’s community?
"Collaborating with other like-minded professionals helps to strengthen our Foundation by sharing effective strategies and new ideas with members of the organization. The numerous resources available offer great examples of ways to strengthen our policies and relations with our Board of Directors."
Describe a recent accomplishment or experience from your work that
stands out to you.
"We were able to bring the performing arts to a school that serves students with disabilities. Students with disabilities often face challenges and obstacles to be able to attend a performance at an outside venue. Bringing the experience to the students allowed for ALL to participate and engage in the experience of the performance and it was a delight to see how everyone was enjoying the performance."
Could you share a challenge you’ve faced in your work and the way you navigated through it?
"Even though our Foundation has been in business for 40 years, many educators and families within the Special School District (SSD) are not aware of who we are and the support we offer to the students served by SSD. We've aligned with their communications department to share information about our programs and services in their weekly newsletters, we attend district events and school board meetings, and we focus on the lower socioeconomic areas of the county. By showing up to school functions and sharing stories of the positive impact our programs have on the students through our website, newsletters and social media has increased awareness significantly in the past 2 years since coming on board with the Special Education Foundation."
What motivates you, in life and at work?
"Knowing that I am able to help find a solution or resource to help a student overcome a challenge/obstacle that affects his/her education is the most rewarding part of my work. Our programs are designed to help eliminate obstacles and provide tools to help students succeed in and beyond the classroom. Seeing the impact of that success fuels my passion to provide those benefits to more students and to make our programs the most effective they can be."
If someone was considering a career in the education foundation
industry, what piece of advice would you give them?
"Consider what aspect of education you are most passionate about and let that be your driver to focus on the mission. Never stop learning and stay updated on the latest trends in education, fundraising and nonprofit management to maximize your impact."