Q&A with Jessie Steinberg, MS – Administrative Director of Education at OPI
We recently sat down to connect with Jessie Steinberg, MS, to discuss her role as our new Administrative Director of Education for the Department of Educational Services for OPI Living Programs. We wanted to know how her time here at OPI has been going, any insights she’s gained from working with our participants, and the strategies she uses to help them be successful as students.
Q: Jessie, what are some of the strategies you find effective with participants in the Department of Educational Services?
A: To ensure participants get the most out of their school while at OPI, I work with them an average of one to two times a week (more if needed). During these sessions, we address any concerns they may have, look over course syllabi, and make or adjust plans for the current semester. I also review their study schedules and help them research local colleges which offer programs that best match their interests and abilities.
Q: Study hours are mandated for students in our programs. Is this helpful for you and our participants?
A: By mandating that all students have study hours, whether at the office or at their apartments, I am able to monitor participant progress and provide support in areas where they may need extra assistance. Study hours are also a great opportunity for participants to utilize the skills they have learned in our six-week student success seminar.
Q: What have you learned from the participants?
A: In the short time I have worked with participants, I have already learned a great deal about them as well as about myself. The participants teach me every day about what it means to be resilient by simply observing how they take any challenge they face and find ways to overcome it. Their hard work and desire to achieve academically is truly inspiring.
Q: How have you motivated, inspired, and supported our participants?
A: To motivate participants, I try to help them find a class or school that aligns with their interests and goals and offers the proper environment. Participants are more likely to attend classes and do well when they see how this will have a positive impact on their experiences while at OPI, so I work closely with our other specialized departments to gain insight into what they enjoy and go from there. These include the Department of Career & Volunteer Services and the Department of Extracurricular Activities.
Q: What changes have you seen in participants?
A: In the short time I have been here, I have seen participants gain confidence in themselves and their academic ability as a result of either getting into a school they applied to or simply receiving an A on a homework assignment. Seemingly small successes have a tremendous impact on our participants, and the changes I see in them are hard to miss.
Q: How do you inspire and motivate participants on an educational level?
A: My goal at OPI is to enable participants to achieve daily academic victories. Be it simply getting a good grade on a homework assignment or completing an essay, my hope is that the cumulative effect will yield an overall sense of pride and accomplishment. Often, academic success has a domino effect and positively impacts many other aspects of their personal lives. Beyond developing and demonstrating how to set and reach academic goals, I also hope to help the participants find an area of study that they are truly passionate about and feel like they can contribute to. I believe that any and all steps towards confidence and independence will enable the participants to become active, contributing, and successful adults.