What does it mean when employees gather together in person to fill up their company’s “trust tank?”
According to Jay Muller, senior partner development representative at Ellevation Education, the idea is simple: in-person activities more effectively foster trust between team members. Because without the ability to build relationships in real life, how can colleagues really understand each other as people rather than just pixels on a screen?
“Sharing these moments isn’t just about what happens there and then,” explained Muller. “It’s about knowing the person on the other side of a Slack message or Zoom call.”
With 70 percent of employees located outside of its Boston headquarters, Ellevation Education has honed the art of creating cohesion and community across its distributed team, relying on a combination of engaging in-person events and virtual initiatives. In doing so, the organization helps its team members, including Manager of Partner Success Roxanne Rodriguez, feel like they’re a part of a movement that influences both themselves and others.
Through her participation in the company’s Latinx employee resource group, Somos ELL, Rodriguez has helped drive equity while upholding a mission that hits close to home.
“As a first-generation Cuban-American, the company’s mission to ‘ensure all English learners can achieve their highest aspirations’ deeply resonates with me,” she said. “Being a part of an inclusive remote culture, especially within ERGs like Somos ELL, reinforces my connection to this mission.”
Ellevation Education’s culture is grounded in one overarching aim: to help employees thrive, both personally and professionally. And according to People and Culture Specialist Sarah Rouse, this type of work environment doesn’t just benefit team members; it bolsters the company’s business objectives, too.
“From a hiring perspective, an inclusive remote culture plays a crucial role in creating a more connected and engaged workforce,” she said. “It attracts diverse talent and encourages them to bring their authentic selves to the workplace.”
Rooted in diversity, connection and growth, Ellevation Education’s culture fosters a holistic approach to employee empowerment and wellness, making everyone feel like a more well-rounded human being.
“When seen as a whole person, everyone is happier and healthier, and we all do better work,” Muller said.
ABOUT ELLEVATION EDUCATION
Ellevation Education’s products help U.S. school district administrators and teachers effectively manage English language learning programs, building the capacity of educators to serve multilingual learners and setting students up for success.
‘More Than Just Ticking Boxes’
Rodriguez vividly remembers how deeply — and quickly — she dove into the culture at Ellevation Education.
Not only did she attend her first offsite a mere three weeks after starting her role, but she also spent the first round of her onboarding program among her new peers in Boston.
“This provided a much different onboarding experience than if I had only been virtual,” said Rodriguez. “It allowed me to bond in person with people from other teams whom I otherwise wouldn’t have much exposure to regularly.”
According to Rouse, the company offers other opportunities for team members to gather together locally. For instance, the organization’s annual “Ellevated Day of Fun” allows employees to either spend the day recharging on their own or engaging in an activity with their peers.
Muller noted that team members can also take advantage of “Ellevated lunches,” which allow them to grab a company-paid lunch with any nearby colleague. By investing heavily in in-person connections, the organization aims to make even the smallest interactions matter.
“It’s about more than just ticking boxes; it’s about creating moments that stick with us,” Muller said.
“It’s about more than just ticking boxes; it’s about creating moments that stick with us.”
Of course, not every relationship-building moment can take place in real life, which is where the company’s ERGs come in. Rouse noted that the ERGs — including Somos ELL, Pride at ELL, Women at Ellevation and B-ELL, the latter of which recognizes the Black community — help foster a deeper understanding of and respect for team members’ unique backgrounds.
“I’ve been able to sit in on lunch and learns surrounding LGBTQIA+ issues, listen to life stories from our Latinx team members during ‘Cuentos y Cafe,’ participate in slow chats during Black History Month and much more,” she said. “The value that our ERGs bring to the Ellevation Education community are essential to promoting the celebration of diversity and inclusion.”
Breaking Out of the Nine-to-Five Box
Being well-rounded can mean many different things, whether that pertains to building friendships or prioritizing one’s mental health. That’s why Ellevation Education provides its employees with the resources and support they need to accomplish these feats — and more.
Because after all, Muller noted, life rarely ever fits into a neat nine-to-five box. That means that if you need to start the day a little later or log off early, your manager will say, “Go for it.”
“As long as the work gets done and is done well, we’ve got the flexibility to fit work around life, not the other way around,” Muller said.
The company offers many perks to bolster this sense of work-life balance, including flexible PTO and generous sick time. These benefits, coupled with support from leaders, make Rodriguez feel comfortable taking the time she needs to care for her loved ones.
“I’ve found that the leadership team is extremely empathetic and understanding, recognizing that every employee’s situation is unique,” she said.
“I’ve found that the leadership team is extremely empathetic and understanding, recognizing that every employee’s situation is unique.”
Being able to juggle work and home priorities is a benefit that Rouse never takes for granted. Since transitioning out of her role as a teacher and into her job at Ellevation Education, she has found better ways to navigate everyday life while leveraging the many resources the company offers, such as mental health support through Modern Health.
“I’ve been able to experience a flexible remote work environment, which has allowed me to have healthier boundaries and avoid burnout,” Rouse said.
Equal Opportunities to Evolve
Think going into the office will make you more likely to get promoted at Ellevation Education? Think again.
“Career advancement isn’t limited by the walls of a physical office,” Muller said. “It’s about cultivating an environment where everyone, whether remote or on site, has the opportunity to grow in their career.”
According to Muller, professional development at the company takes many forms, from building a mentorship network to shadowing another teammate’s work. By giving team members the chance to explore beyond their given scope, the organization fosters both lateral and vertical internal growth while offering peer-to-peer support.
“We’re truly in this together, exchanging knowledge, offering constructive feedback and always being ready to extend a helping hand or share an insightful idea,” Muller said.
“We’re truly in this together.”
Rodriguez added that employees are encouraged to continuously learn outside of their day-to-day work, whether that’s by attending a conference or earning a second certification. This focus on education also extends to managers, who take courses to learn how to lead others in a dynamic, diverse environment.
Ellevation Education sees growth as a gateway to self-fulfillment, which is why the company encourages its people to pursue their career goals on their own terms. For Muller, this emphasis on helping individuals thrive embodies the ethos of life at the company, where everyone strives in unison to help the nation’s language learners — and each other — chase their dreams.
“At Ellevation Education, mutual respect isn’t just a policy — it’s our way of life, and it’s reflected in our dedication to each other’s success,” Muller said. “We’re creating a work culture that’s as close-knit as it is widespread, and that’s something pretty special.”
