March 7 was Employee Appreciation Day, but we’re celebrating our team members all month long by sharing their stories. Read more about Alexandra Neuman, Talent Acquisition Manager for In-district Services (IDS) Recruiting.
What is your favorite thing about working here?
I feel empowered and excited every day by the incredible people I work with—my team, the leaders I engage with, and the amazing candidates I connect with. I’m deeply passionate about our "why" at New Story, knowing that the work we do makes a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families.
What keeps you coming to work each day?
Knowing that we’re making a difference in the lives of these kids and families motivates me to push myself and my team to achieve our goals. Ultimately, our success positively impacts the incredible people and schools we support.
How do you make an impact on students’ lives?
By hiring amazing new staff for our schools, we create opportunities to open additional classrooms—something that is greatly needed. This directly impacts more kids, ensuring they receive the support they need and become part of the New Story family!
Which one of our BetterTogether values resonates with you most personally and why? (Integrity, Accountable, Collaborative, Inclusive, Supportive)
The BetterTogether values that resonate with me most are integrity, collaboration, and support. Integrity is essential in the work we do—we must be honest, uphold strong moral principles, and hold ourselves accountable to ensure we place the best possible staff in our schools. Collaboration is equally important, as I constantly engage with my team and others across the organization, embracing new ideas and building meaningful connections. Lastly, support is at the heart of what we do—not only in guiding candidates through the interview process and welcoming them into our schools but also in uplifting and assisting one another within our teams.
What does a “day in the life” look like for your role?
Each day in my role looks a little different, but it always starts with checking in with my team—often with a fun meme or quote to kick things off on a positive note. I then dive into admin tasks, including checking emails, reviewing new applicants, and following up on any pending items. Throughout the day, I attend scheduled team and leadership meetings to provide updates and stay informed on processes and staffing needs. I also connect with candidates through scheduled calls, qualifying and building relationships with potential hires. Lastly, I focus on hands-on sourcing, reaching out to quality candidates to fill our openings and schedule calls for the week ahead.
Can you talk a little bit about your career trajectory and what led you to where you are now?
I initially started my career with an interest in both HR and recruiting, but I truly fell in love with recruiting in 2017. Over the years, I’ve worked across various industries, including information technology, finance, AI, and now education to name a few, gaining experience in both startup environments and large-scale companies. In October 2023, I joined New Story, where I began supporting roles in our clinics and our school district partnerships. I was fortunate to thrive in my role and was recently promoted to Talent Acquisition Manager in October 2024. Seeing the incredible growth of our partnerships with school districts has been truly inspiring. I am deeply passionate about the work we do and feel inspired every day by the impact we make in helping children and families. I’m incredibly happy with where I am now and excited to see how I continue to grow with New Story!
What has been your proudest moment or accomplishment in your role?
One of my proudest moments was successfully staffing multiple classrooms in school districts across Pennsylvania and playing a key role in growing IDS from its inception to where it is today. Seeing the direct impact of our work in expanding educational support for students has been incredibly rewarding.
What is something about you that not many people know?
I’ve been living in the United States since December 2019 when I lived in Santa Monica, California, but I grew up in Vancouver, BC, Canada. I’ll always be a West Coaster Canadian at heart, but I’ve now made my home in Miami, Florida.
