For the upcoming 2022-2023 school year, we want to welcome back our returning coaches who have chosen to spend a second year of service with College Possible. We asked each coach why they chose to serve a second year, what they are most looking forward to as returners, and what advice they have for incoming coaches.
Tae Lee served our junior students at Franklin High School during the 2021-2022 school year and will be returning as Franklin’s high school senior coach during the upcoming year. He enjoys climbing, playing music, and is also a stage manager-audio engineer in the Seattle area during his free time. He hopes to apply to the University of Washington to earn a master’s degree in communications. He is also a strong advocate for neurodiversity.
Why did you choose to serve a second year?
I felt like there was still room for me to grow as an educator with College Possible. I want to continue my growth/development with College Possible and realize my full potential. I also know that it’d be easier for my students to return to the same coach, and I want to walk with them and realize all my efforts I have put into their higher education journey.
What are you most looking forward to as a returner?
I am looking forward to helping the new coaches, implementing some of the things I have noticed this past year as a coach, and hopefully helping to facilitate our working groups in more of a leadership role. I also have ideas on how to improve how we do things at our organization. I am also excited to return to an in-person model both on-site and in the office!
What advice do you have for incoming coaches?
Focus on the relationships first. College access is important but you being there for the student is more important, and to show them that you are accessible, but also approachable. It’s OK to feel lost the first few weeks on-site. You will find what works for you and in the end we’re just grateful that you’re here with us.
Rosemary Adkisson served our junior students at Decatur High School in Federal Way during the 2021-2022 school year and will be returning as the high school senior coach. She enjoys keeping her office fun by always having games available to play with her students. In her free time, she loves to read.
Why did you choose to serve a second year?
Honestly, working as a high school junior coach helping students figure out what colleges interest them and what they might want to major in. I can’t imagine not seeing how that all works out for them next year.
What are you most looking forward to as a returner?
These students, as they apply to college and figure out what schools they will be going to.
What advice do you have for incoming coaches?
Ask for help! Never be afraid to ask your school staff, your supervisor, and your fellow coaches for help or when you don’t know something.
Tala Hagart-Alexander served our junior students at Chief Sealth High School and will be returning as the high school senior coach for the 2022-2023 school year. During her free time, she enjoys running and playing Dungeons & Dragons, a fantasy role-playing game. Her current Dungeons & Dragons campaign is on its way to the finale, and she could not be more excited!
Why did you choose to serve a second year?
I chose to come back for a second year because I felt like I had unfinished business. After getting to know my juniors, how could I not come back to support them throughout the college application process?
What are you most looking forward to as a returner?
I am looking forward to working with my students again. I am looking forward to seeing which schools they get into. I want to witness the beginning of their journeys as young adults!
What advice do you have for incoming coaches?
You don’t always have to have the answer, and sometimes all a student needs is for you to listen. Also, learn to make time to take care of yourself, and do your best to set those boundaries!
Frances Ingram-Bate has been serving our junior students at Nathan Hale High School and will be returning as the high school senior coach for the 2022–2023 school year. A fun fact about them: they once made a Magic School Bus adaptation of Dante’s Inferno!
Why did you choose to serve a second year?
Ever since I heard that serving a second year was an option, I knew I was interested in returning. I think serving for another year will give me the opportunity to put all the skills and knowledge I have learned this year into practice while continuing to grow them further. The first year has gone by pretty fast, so I think a second year will also feel like more of a culmination of my service, and I look forward to the new opportunities it will bring me to contribute to this organization.
What are you most looking forward to as a returner?
While there is a lot to look forward to, the first thing that comes to mind is being able to participate in Welcome Weeks. I joined this year as a late-start coach, so I was not there for Welcome Weeks this year and I look forward to it as an opportunity to meet the new coaches and further build a sense of community with them.
What advice do you have for incoming coaches?
If there is a way to make things that are unnecessarily hard simpler, it’s worth investing a little bit of time to do so, especially when it comes to data entry on Salesforce.
Iman Hassan served as the high school junior coach for our Lindbergh High School students and will be returning as the high school senior coach for the 2022–2023 school year. She enjoys listening to any type of music and all genres!
Why did you choose to serve a second year?
I really loved working with students this year and would love to do it again!
What are you most looking forward to as a returner?
Meeting new students and solving new problems!
What advice do you have for incoming coaches?
To keep calm and stay in the moment.
