Interviewer: What is your name?
Joanna: Joanna Merrithey
Interviewer: What is your position at CSA?
Joanna: Senior Director, Humanities and Assessment
Interviewer: What does that position entail?
Joanna: I oversee the content development teams across Humanities, including ELA, Assessment, World Languages, and Editorial Services.
Interviewer: How did you become a part of CSA?
Joanna: When I graduated from college, I had a difficult time finding a job, so I went to a temp agency. Through the agency, I got an interview with a small company that develops educational materials. I had a brief interview, and the next day, I found out I got the job! I started at the front desk, answering phones and typing. Fast forward 15 years and I am now a Senior Director.
Interviewer: What is the best part of your job?
Joanna: I would say the best part of my job is the people I work with—CSA team members and our talented freelancers and contractors. I have been lucky to meet, work with, and learn from some of the most dedicated, hardworking, and kind people.
Interviewer: What do you wish people knew about your work at CSA?
Joanna: No two days are alike. There is a lot of task-switching in a day! Our content development teams are working on a variety of projects for pre-K through high school and part of my job is to check in on the teams and find out how I can best support them. That could mean looking for resources or even editing a decodable book. If a project needs support, I am there!
Interviewer: What do you wish schools focused on more in terms of education and why?
Joanna: Equity. I think that every child and staff member deserves to feel a sense of belonging in school. I believe that level of support is essential to a student’s success. It’s wonderful to see that schools are doing more of this and taking the time to understand the challenges that students face and how to better support them. Flexibility and compassion go a long way.
Interviewer: What are three interesting facts about you?
Joanna: I got married in October 2020, so my legal last name is Kulinczenko. It’s Ukrainian! I have two dream jobs for when I grow up: a private investigator or a meteorologist. When I turned 30, I went on a solo trip to Amsterdam and Paris. It was one of those experiences that really changes how you look at yourself. I have not had the chance to go on another trip like that, but if given the opportunity to do it again, I would not hesitate.
Click here to learn more about Joanna!
