Jean Walters

Senior Client Manager

What drew you to eChalk?

Thinking back about why I was initially drawn to eChalk, it seems important to mention that I found the company through a job search website that primarily focuses on advertising nonprofit opportunities. Though eChalk is obviously not a nonprofit, I think the appeal of our company is that its mission is very much like one of a nonprofit. In addition to the mission, I was specifically enticed by the concept of using Web-based technology to connect the K-12 community and ultimately improve teaching and learning. In an age where most of the world relies on the Internet to communicate and obtain information, this kind of tool just plain makes sense!

Describe the eChalk culture.

I think that the culture of eChalk can best be described by the layout of our headquarters in New York City. We oftentimes advertise eChalk as a way to 'erase the walls of the classroom,' so clients and prospects will be happy to know that we are leading by example as we essentially have no walls in our office. With our open floor plan, everyone from the CEO to the Office Manager to the Data Specialist is accessible and approachable.

Unlike other places I have worked (or most places others have worked, I would imagine), the culture of eChalk is one of true collaboration and open dialogue at all levels. Also, we’re a company that claps a lot—as in applause. There always seems to be some reason to give kudos or celebrate at eChalk … so we clap.

What's most satisfying about working at eChalk?

I think, and I imagine that the majority of Client Services would also say, that the most satisfying aspect of working at eChalk is seeing the product really change the way schools and districts communicate. Client Services, as a department, is very fortunate in that we get to visit with our clients frequently and hear and see success stories firsthand. For the rest of the company that does not get to travel as often, our President and Co-Founder, Torrance Robinson, does an excellent job of regularly sharing quotes and success stories at weekly companywide meetings. Most of the quotes and stories come directly from eChalk users who reply to the ‘Welcome to eChalk’ email that all new users receive from Torrance. It may come as a surprise to clients to learn that Torrance is a real person and that he actually takes the time to read their replies; but it’s true—he actually does!

How would you describe eChalk customers?

The only thing that all of our clients have in common is that they are all different. We service districts and schools of many different sizes, with different demographics, facing different challenges, with different needs. In fact, the fun—and challenging—part of my job as a Client Manager is to figure out how eChalk can meet the specific needs of the district and schools that we service. I suppose the common thread among our customers is that they are part of a still relatively small percentage of the country that recognizes the need for a tool like eChalk. It often seems that our biggest challenge as a company in this industry is not competing with similar providers, but rather showing K-12 educators how critical this type of tool is to prepare students for a successful future. In other words, I think it would be fair to lump our customers into a group of district and schools who ‘get it’ and who are ahead of the curve.

Describe your fellow eChalkers.

There is definitely a particular quality that unites all eChalkers, but I am not sure how it can be described. Perhaps it’s as simple as—eChalkers care. While a CEO can always hope that his or her employees are emotionally invested in their company and in their work, that’s not always the case. Fortunately for our CEO, Martin Brutosky, for our clients, and for us, every eChalker has a vested interest in building a quality product and providing quality service; we care about what we do.

Is there one experience that stands out during the time you’ve worked at eChalk?

One of the most gratifying experiences for me at eChalk was being a part of the eChalk implementation and rollout at Corpus Christi Independent School District in Texas. It was a model implementation: it began as a small, successful pilot of just a few schools that ultimately blossomed into an equally successful districtwide implementation across all 62 of the district’s schools.

The best part of the experience was attending a kick-off event for the districtwide rollout where the principals of the pilot schools, as well as the superintendent, stood up and essentially congratulated the rest of the schools on receiving a tool that would make their lives easier. We sat back and listened as the faculty and staff from the pilot schools essentially sold eChalk to their colleagues. While we of course know, and believe, in the potential of eChalk, it is obviously different to hear actual users share with others that it is a tool that they can no longer live without. It was a great experience.

What surprised you most about working at eChalk?

During my first week at eChalk, I remember being surprised—perhaps ‘impressed’ is a more accurate word – by the caliber of talent at the company. It became clear almost immediately that I had 'lucked out' by landing a job with eChalk. I think there are a lot of companies out there that have solid ideas and good intentions, but there are very few companies that have the ability to get the right people on board to actually make something great happen.

Probably the smartest thing that eChalk does, which I believe separates us from many other companies, is to listen to our customers. It seems like such an obvious thing, but I really believe it is one of the major reasons why clients stick with us. Our clients have come to know that their feedback is taken seriously and it often results in a new feature or enhancement. I might suggest to Marketing that we should change our motto to: Come for the Communication Solution, Stay for the Service!

Tell us what you look forward to at eChalk.

Somewhat selfishly, I am most looking forward to continuing to expand our client base. Each new implementation brings with it new challenges and new personalities. I’ve also been fortunate to visit some great places because of our clients and I’m excited to find out where eChalk will take me next!