Interviewer: What is your name?
Kate: Kate Szadziewski
Interviewer: What is your position at CSA?
Kate: Executive Editor, Humanities and Assessment
Interviewer: What does that position entail?
Kate: I manage the content development for several Humanities and Assessment projects. This entails collaboration with our amazing clients, CSA internal staff, and freelancers to create and tailor quality materials for students. This means setting up expectations, leading onboarding calls with freelancers, and content reviewing Social Studies, Assessment, ELA, and some ESL materials. The best part of this position is engaging with people and learning from their work.
Interviewer: How did you become a part of CSA?
Kate: I started as a freelancer about two years ago. As I worked on various Humanities, ELA, and Assessment projects, I was impressed with the way CSA collaborates with freelancers and clients. It always felt like my work was valued. Soon, CSA and I agreed that it was time for me to step into an internal position–what a windfall for me!
Interviewer: What is the best part of your job?
Kate: Nothing is static about it. Some days, it involves immersing myself in the subject matter and working out how to best present it for student engagement. Other days, I am answering freelancer questions about item types, passage topics, or leveling. There is a sense at CSA that most anything is possible, you just have to step up to make it happen. That’s very empowering.
Interviewer: What do you wish people knew about your work at CSA?
Kate: Whether or not it is required by the project or client guidelines, the baseline at CSA is to ensure DEI and SEL standards are met in any materials we touch. This is reflected in who we work with as freelancers and how we manage projects. It is not an extension of the work; instead, it is in the fabric of what we produce.
Interviewer: What do you wish schools focused on more in terms of education and why?
Kate: I wish schools and teachers had a healthier relationship with testing. Assessments often are seen as a necessary evil instead of a potentially dynamic way to interest students. If schools and publishers moved away from the timed multiple choice or essay items model, they will find that students are often excited to show off what they know in a variety of ways.
Interviewer: What are three interesting facts about you?
Kate: I grew up in Montana and rural Alaska. When I was a teenager, my family had a team of sled dogs, which I “mushed” regularly. Now, I am down to one pet: a playful and loving tabby cat, Porter. He’s rubbish at pulling a sled, though.
Click here to learn more about Kate!
