The Puzzle: Blog

This is the time of year when we like to intentionally turn our thoughts to the things we're grateful for. We move so quickly with work that it's sometimes hard to take a moment and appreciate what we have, as well as what others do. The first Thanksgiving was, after all–or so we were taught when we were younger–a lesson in workplace cooperation.

At CS&A, we consciously nurture this by taking time in our weekly staff meetings to thank colleagues who have made our day and work better, and sharing notes or emails with someone who has been going above and beyond in their job. Showing a little gratitude in the office is a simple way to boost morale and promote a healthy work environment–plus it makes your colleagues feel good!

We are, of course, incredibly thankful for being able to do the work that we do. From the passionate and driven educators we work with who are changing the lives of students each day in their classrooms, to the incredible schools whose environments reflect missions to shape the minds and hearts of children, to the organizations and higher education institutions who we partner with to recruit the nation’s best teachers and administrators, we have a lot to be grateful for.

In the spirit of the holiday, we want to share some of the things members of our Placement and Search groups are thankful for…and for a little added fun, find out what some of our favorite Thanksgiving foods are.

Alex McLean, Placement Associate – I’m thankful for working with such passionate colleagues, the great schools that open their doors to us during the fall, and most importantly – our beautiful daughter Ellie!

Devereaux McClatchey, President – I’m thankful for my wife. She’s a star. And for Thanksgiving food, I love a good green bean casserole with crushed Cheez-It crackers on top.

Karen Whitaker, Search Consultant – I am thankful for my family, the love of my partner, Chris, good health, and close friends. In light of the recent disastrous fires in my beloved California, I am thankful for a roof over my head and a safe place to call home. My heart goes out to all the people who lost so much in recent days. As someone relatively new to CS&A, I’m thankful for the warm welcome and support I’ve received from everyone in the company. It’s been a pleasure to form new partnerships and learn from this smart, funny, engaging team. Thank you!

Connor Rooney, Senior Associate, Recruitment and Operations – I'm thankful for the kindness and welcoming nature of everyone at CS&A; the entire staff has been so supportive of me in my time of transition, and has afforded me so many unique opportunities. I'm also thankful for my life full of loving family members and wonderful friendships. Lastly, I am thankful for stuffing (the most versatile Thanksgiving food item, in my opinion). I can't wait to help prepare my favorite versions, and experiment with new ones!

Ralph Davison, Senior Consultant – I am so grateful for life, for loving relationships with family and friends, and for the chance to make the world a better place in multiple ways. The quality and generous spirit of our colleagues at Carney Sandoe inspires me every day, and I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity we have to work with our clients to help make their schools better and better.

Kim Garner, Managing Associate, Director of Operations and Conferences – I’m thankful for this precious life I get to live, family, and health. Also, I’m thankful I’m able to work alongside colleagues who I call friends. My favorite Thanksgiving food item is really anything my mom cooks; you cannot go wrong with anything from Carol’s kitchen!

Jamie Cohen, Placement Associate – This thanksgiving I’m thankful for my family and friends, and to work in a place with amazing, committed coworkers who I love seeing every day.

Diana Zito, Placement Counselor – I’m thankful for family, friends, and health. I’m also thankful to be able to travel for both work and pleasure.

Donisha Thaxton, Senior Associate, Placement and Conference Teams – I am thankful to have been so warmly welcomed by the CS&A team! I am also excited and grateful to be spending Thanksgiving with my family for the first time in almost 10 years! I am so looking forward to my mom’s banana pudding!

Liam Gluck, Placement Counselor – I’m thankful for my parents – they always seem to steer me the right way, even when I don’t immediately realize. Favorite food: the stuffing!

Katie Jenks, Placement Counselor – I’m thankful for my family and friends, and the opportunity we have at CS&A to work with teachers and schools. What a passionate and inspiring group.

LeeAnn Parker, Placement Counselor – I am thankful for the opportunities I have to travel through my work at CS&A as well as the love from my partner, friends, and family members.

David Chojnacki, Senior Consultant – I'm grateful to be part of such a collaborative and professionally generous group of colleagues.

Todd Gochman, Placement Associate – Thankful for the CS&A team taking on more than ever, and doing it with a smile and always a well timed laugh. Always grateful for such a supportive family, their health, and eagerness to get outside and play, no matter how cold. Can’t wait for the much anticipated apple crisp my wife makes for every Thanksgiving! Cheers to all for a happy, healthy, and family filled Thanksgiving!

Amanda Riegel, Senior Search Associate – I am thankful to work with colleagues who believe that the future is bright for school leadership! I feel lucky to have a healthy family with two girls who keep me focused and motivated…and one my favorite parts of the Thanksgiving meal is canned cranberry sauce…no joke!

Barbara Daush, Senior Consultant – In 2018, I am most grateful for the blessings of faith, family, friends, and CS&A! Mike has battled stage four melanoma for the past two years and having just completed his year of keytruda treatment, he is still cancer free! Both of our daughters-in-law are pregnant, due on New Year's Eve, and will bring us two new granddaughters. We are blessed!  The career change to CS&A has been amazing in every way, and I am so happy to be a member of this family. I wish to everyone a blessed Thanksgiving!

Here is my favorite family recipe for Thanksgiving, passed down from my mother from her grandmother. I only make this from memory now, so you will need to adjust the amounts as you desire for your taste buds. For 10 adults:

• You'll need 8 navel oranges, cut in half, squeezed, saving the juice, and removing all rinds inside the peels – use a very good orange squeezer! After cleaning out the peels, put face down on a paper towel to keep them as moist as possible.
• Boil 10 medium sized sweet potatoes/yams until tender – peel them and mash with 1 or 1 1/2  sticks of butter, some of the OJ you saved from the oranges and about 1/2 cup or cup of light brown brown sugar. Taste the combination along the way so you eventually get the mixture to the flavor you like.
• Save the rest of the OJ juice for fresh OJ the next morning in a screwdriver!
• Stuff each half of the navel oranges with the sweet potato mixture. Put in a casserole dish (the navel oranges will fall over if not put together tightly), and cook for 30 mins at 350 degrees, covered with foil. After 30 mins, add 5-6 miniature marshmallows on top, remove foil and cook for another 5-10 mins when marshmallows are melting but not too gooey.

ENJOY! After making these the first time, your family will make you prepare this dish every year!

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