A Day in the Life of a CIS Site Coordinator: Shelby Clements

At Communities In Schools® (CIS®), our Site Coordinators are on the front lines every day, helping students navigate challenges, build skills, and thrive in school. For Shelby Clements, a Site Coordinator at Neblett Elementary, CIS of the Dallas Region, every day is a balance of flexibility, support, and relationship-building. 

Mornings: Preparing Students for Success 

Shelby starts her mornings early—before the first bell. She checks in with teachers, reviews attendance data, and identifies students who may need extra support. 

“My mornings are set to be flexible… that way I can intake any need that might come up and plan it within my schedule.” 

She greets students with positivity, helps them transition into the school day, and makes sure they have what they need—whether that’s breakfast, a calm check-in, or a moment to process big emotions. Morning one-on-one interactions are often when Shelby helps students regulate emotions and get ready for learning. 

Afternoons: Small Groups and Skill-Building 

Afternoons are more structured. Shelby leads small groups focused on social skills, friendship, emotional regulation, and confidence. One of her signature programs, Social Superstars, teaches students how to manage conflicts, consider others’ perspectives, and break the cycle of revenge. 

“I teach a skill, I ask a challenge, and then they go face that challenge, and then they come back with me.” 

For example, in a lesson on perspective-taking, students practice understanding others’ points of view, resolving conflicts, and making thoughtful choices. Shelby celebrates every small success—like a student who learns to apologize or consider a friend’s feelings. 

“It’s super rewarding to see students recognize their own progress and strengths.” 

Collaboration Throughout the Day 

Shelby’s work isn’t just with students. She partners closely with teachers, administrators, and counselors to ensure her interventions align with classroom expectations and school goals. This includes coordinating schedules, sharing progress, and co-leading initiatives like peer leadership programs. Read more about how Shelby collaborates with teachers and administrators in her school. 

“Including them in my schedule helped build my relationship with the teachers, because I was letting them in on everything I was doing.” 

Community Support 

In addition to emotional support, Shelby helps meet students’ basic needs. On the outskirts of Dallas, resources are limited, so she partners with local organizations to fill gaps. 

“We usually rely on a lot of local churches… they supply us with those weekend food bags every single week.” 

Legacy Bible Church provides weekly weekend food bags and supports Shelby’s teacher snack closet, which helps students who may not have snacks during the day. She also organizes monthly snack bags for teachers to distribute and coordinates visits from programs like the Colgate Van for free dental care. 

The Impact of Being “All In” 

Every interaction Shelby has—whether with a student or a teacher—reflects the CIS commitment to being fully present in the lives of kids. From greeting students in the morning to leading skill-building groups in the afternoon, her day is guided by relationships, responsiveness, and purpose. 

“We might be two different things, but we all have the same goal. We are all in for kids.” 

At Communities In Schools, Site Coordinators like Shelby make the difference every day, helping students stay on track, develop life skills, and succeed in school and beyond. 

Learn more about CIS of the Greater Dallas Region.

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