Anna Montgomery
Middle School Teen Director
Short Bio: I am a life long resident of Elgin. I graduated from Larkin High School and went on to the University of Iowa. I have a BS in Psychology and a minor in Human Relations. After graduating, I started working at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Elgin where I did pretty much every position possible before coming to Dundee Township. Outside of Club, I have a two year old chocolate lab named Shelly whom I absolutely adore. I also grew up as a classically trained ballerina, and I do my best to keep dance in my life as much as possible.
What is your favorite thing about working with BGCDT?: My favorite thing about working here are the members. Boys & Girls Clubs nationally has “5 Key Elements of Positive Youth Development”. I’ve always felt that supportive relationships is the most important of the five. I get to see the impact that supportive relationships have on these members on a daily basis whether the relationship is with me or another team member. I affectionately call all of them “my kids”.
What is your favorite memory or moment with the Club over the years?: It’s hard to pick just one memory because there are so many little things that happen on a daily basis that make me smile. If I had to pick just one, I would say it was the last day of our summer program this summer. We had a combined Teen Party with both CMS and Teen Center members. It was the first time that we had all really come together, both staff and members. Walking around and seeing all of the members and staff working so well together like they had been doing it all year was really promising to me. I can’t wait to see what the fall brings with these new relationships.
How did you get started with BGCDT?: I was working for a different Boys & Girls Club when I heard that BGCDT was hiring. I decided on a whim to send in my resume just to see what happened. After several interviews and a few months later, I was shocked to be sitting in the office with Mike being offered a job.
If you had to pick one program, activity or event that you enjoy the most at Club, what would it be?: I can’t pick just one, but in general, it would be all of the “special events”. I love doing things like the Ice Bucket Challenge or the Pie-in-the-Face events with the members. We get to have a lot of fun and be silly with them, and we both get to see a side of each other that we don’t normally see.
What is your guilty pleasure?: Without a doubt it would be reality TV shows. I’m a sucker for Dance Moms, 19 Kids and Counting (even though it’s cancelled now!), and Sister Wives.
What is your favorite TV show and favorite movie?: My favorite TV show is Gilmore Girls and my favorite movie is P.S. I Love You.
Who has had the most influence on your work career?: I would say one of my first bosses, Jean. I worked for her at Fannie May, and she really taught me the value of a team.
What is number one on your bucket list?: To travel Europe. I lived in Spain and got to travel a lot then, and my mom and I are going to Budapest and Prague over Thanksgiving Break, but it’s still not enough! There’s so much of the world that I want to see and experience.
