Kelly Greshak’s Full Circle Journey at NHA
NHA Communications TeamNHA Communications Team
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This Employee Spotlight series celebrates NHA’s 30th anniversary during the 2025-26 academic year and honors those whose dedication, leadership, and Moral Focus™ values have shaped our schools.
Before the doors at Cross Creek Charter Academy even opened, Kelly Greshak took a leap of faith.
“I was hired that summer while they were still building the school. We barely had furniture, and everything was just getting started.”
That was 1997 and what followed was a career that would come full circle in ways she never imagined.
Kelly’s love for education grew with NHA®. Her tenure included nine years teaching kindergarten, seven years in first grade, and 10 years as a K-2 dean, impacting hundreds of students and families along the way.
She also witnessed something remarkable, the growth of Cross Creek.
From just over 100 students in its first year to a thriving school of more than 800 students, the transformation reflects the power of strong partnerships between schools, families, and communities.
“It was a leap of faith for those families. But they trusted us and to see what the school has become is incredible.”
After more than two decades in the classroom and school leadership, Kelly was ready for a new challenge, but she wasn’t ready to leave education.
“I knew I still wanted to support schools. I just didn’t know what that would look like.”
After taking time to reflect, Kelly found her way back to NHA, this time at the Service Center as a Change Management Specialist.
And just like that, her journey came full circle.
Today, Kelly’s decades of experience in the classroom are reflected in every project, every communication, and every decision she is involved in. She is always asking, how will this impact schools?
“I’m always thinking about the teachers, the staff, and the students. How can we make this better? How can we make transitions smoother?”
That perspective is helping bridge an important gap by connecting NHA Service Center work more closely to the day-to-day realities inside classrooms.
“Everything we do should support the schools. That’s why we’re here.”
It’s also a reflection of NHA’s Moral Focus™ philosophy in action. From team discussions to weekly messages, Kelly makes a conscious effort to spark engagement and strengthen team culture.
It’s a powerful reminder that Moral Focus™ isn’t confined to classrooms, it’s a shared responsibility across NHA.
As a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, she and her family go to Chicago every January to kick off the season at the Cubs Convention. During the baseball season they attend as many games at Wrigley Field as they can. And most recently she started a new family tradition ~ a stadium chase ~ the goal to see the Cubs play at all the Major League ballparks.
Before the doors at Cross Creek Charter Academy even opened, Kelly Greshak took a leap of faith.
“I was hired that summer while they were still building the school. We barely had furniture, and everything was just getting started.”
That was 1997 and what followed was a career that would come full circle in ways she never imagined.
Kelly’s love for education grew with NHA®. Her tenure included nine years teaching kindergarten, seven years in first grade, and 10 years as a K-2 dean, impacting hundreds of students and families along the way.
She also witnessed something remarkable, the growth of Cross Creek.
From just over 100 students in its first year to a thriving school of more than 800 students, the transformation reflects the power of strong partnerships between schools, families, and communities.
“It was a leap of faith for those families. But they trusted us and to see what the school has become is incredible.”
A New Chapter
After more than two decades in the classroom and school leadership, Kelly was ready for a new challenge, but she wasn’t ready to leave education.“I knew I still wanted to support schools. I just didn’t know what that would look like.”
After taking time to reflect, Kelly found her way back to NHA, this time at the Service Center as a Change Management Specialist.
And just like that, her journey came full circle.
Leading with Perspective
Today, Kelly’s decades of experience in the classroom are reflected in every project, every communication, and every decision she is involved in. She is always asking, how will this impact schools?“I’m always thinking about the teachers, the staff, and the students. How can we make this better? How can we make transitions smoother?”
That perspective is helping bridge an important gap by connecting NHA Service Center work more closely to the day-to-day realities inside classrooms.
“Everything we do should support the schools. That’s why we’re here.”
It’s also a reflection of NHA’s Moral Focus™ philosophy in action. From team discussions to weekly messages, Kelly makes a conscious effort to spark engagement and strengthen team culture.
It’s a powerful reminder that Moral Focus™ isn’t confined to classrooms, it’s a shared responsibility across NHA.
Fun Fact
As a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, she and her family go to Chicago every January to kick off the season at the Cubs Convention. During the baseball season they attend as many games at Wrigley Field as they can. And most recently she started a new family tradition ~ a stadium chase ~ the goal to see the Cubs play at all the Major League ballparks.
About National Heritage Academies
National Heritage Academies (NHA) is a network of 103 tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving more than 67,000 students in kindergarten through high school. For more information, visit nhaschools.com. To find the nearest charter school near you, use the NHA school finder.