Meet Sarah Rinner | Out of School Time Leader

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Rinner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Work-life balance is the big question. I fall into the camp of “it’s all life” so I look at that balance as work/nonwork time. Is that balance, that ebb and flow, meeting my needs in terms of my health and my family. My needs have certainly changed over time (no surprise). My ability to recognize how I am spending my time, what is taking up my mental, physical and emotional energy absolutely shifted when I became a parent. To my complete surprise, after the birth of my first child, I felt grounded with a renewed sense of adaptability. And terror, obviously, what new parent doesn’t when they are suddenly responsible for a tiny human? I have told many people over the years (and I’m not the first nor the last to say it) – You are replaceable at work. You are not replaceable at home.
I put my family’s needs first, but not at the expense of my work. I try not to miss any important life moments, but now and then, my partner takes on a school conference or a doctor’s appointment on his own if I can’t adjust my schedule. I don’t sweat the small stuff as often. I try to smile more and am mindful more often of how my actions and behaviors are impacting others. I work hard and I play hard. I try to leave work at work, but that is always hard from a leadership perspective and the demands that come with large teams. I am working on paying better attention to my health, my stress level, my anxiety, and what my body is telling me. I remind myself that there are other great people that can do my job just as well (or better!) than me, but no one can be a better mom to my children.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Like so many others, my love of the arts began in middle school, with school plays, choir concerts, marching band and my high school improv troupe. I enjoy performing and as a kid, had a lot of imagination. In college, I discovered that I could learn how to teach young kids creativity and artmaking. My world was opened to the joy of leading simple art projects and dramatizations. It was the perfect combination of my love of the arts and my desire to work with children. It’s been the most rewarding part of my career. But that’s the power of play, and creativity, and imagination. When we have more time for those things, then we grow our capacity for curiosity, joy and love. Anytime I have an opportunity to give youth space to bring those things out, the benefits are tenfold.

I’ve learned many lessons about caring for my health and wellbeing in a career where burnout is so prevalent. I have learned the hard way more than a few times, and the negative impact I had on others when I was fraying at the seams. So I had to become better at setting boundaries and saying no. And I’m better! But still not great at it. I care deeply about supporting young people in exploring the arts and creativity, in finding their voice and expressing themselves, and being a part of something magical through their discoveries. I’ve been proud to be a part of some really amazing programs, projects and teams. Collaboration and joy in work have been instrumental in my ability to dream big and to fuel my professional development.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The Shoutout of my life is my mom. She has ALWAYS believed in me and supported everything I’ve ever done. If it was something I cared about, then she cared too. I’ve learned so many things from her that show up in my daily life: courage, resiliency, honesty, responsibility and a willingness to do the hard work and the thankless tasks.