OUR BACKGROUND
Purpose
Social Media trends have limited face to face interactions that otherwise support appropriate social experiences and proper etiquette. The face of the family has changed, becoming more casual and often more hurried. Working parents, divorce, and busy schedules can hinder formal dining opportunities to practice good etiquette. Participating students will experience using the table as a conversation-sharing place for family and friends.
Mission
Model and teach students proper etiquette to foster respectful participation in society. Empower students with the confidence to be their best selves. Using curricula from the *American School of Protocol as a platform, our goals include the following:
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Promoting confidence in dining skills
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Promoting courteous and considerate behavior toward others
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Increasing the students' awareness of the world in which they live
Service Area
Currenting providing classes to the Chicagoland Area
*Curricula from The American School of Protocol a division of Personal Best, Inc.
About Us
Ready.Set.Etiquette. – School of Manners, recently established in 2023, is an etiquette and social skills company for students first through twelfth grades. Co-founders Kelly Rumel and Lindsey Radek care deeply about empowering children with confidence that leads to a successful (and more pleasant) future.
Kelly Rumel, Co-founder
Retired after 35 years from Oak Lawn Community High School, I taught students enrolled in a cross-categorical special education program. During my tenure, I prepared and instructed a range of courses including pre-vocational skills (job study and hands-on training) to prepare learners with diverse needs to be successful participants in society. I earned a BA in Education and a MS in Special Education @ Eastern Illinois University. Aside from my role as educator, I served as an officer for my Teacher’s Union assisting staff to be successful and working with administration to foster positive learning environments for students. Recently, I was certified by The American School of Protocol (based in Atlanta) to teach Children’s Etiquette. Etiquette skills have been a priority with me both professionally and personally. I believe we control 100% of our reactions to others. Why not make those choices serve both our interests and the best interests of others? Children’s Etiquette is just one avenue to that goal. In my leisure time, I enjoy spending time with my four grandchildren who never fail to make me smile. I enjoy Wordle, crossword puzzles and reading. When the weather is beautiful, you will find me outside reluctant to return indoors. I look forward to meeting your children enrolled in the Ready.Set.Etiquette - School of Manners program.
Lindsey Radek, Co-founder
A graduate from Arizona State University with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, I have spent the majority of my professional career in Sales and Marketing. Most recently, I managed the drug and dollar business channels for PepsiCo’s Central Division. I worked closely with local operation teams to execute national sales programming and grow year over year sales by partnering with customer leadership. Previous to PepsiCo, I worked in food and beverage ingredient marketing which included planning and executing trade shows across the world. In 2021, on the heels of the pandemic I decided to leave the corporate world to stay home with my two boys, now 7 and 5, to serve as their advocate and support system while navigating the complexities of at-home learning and reduced childcare options. Raising two rambunctious boys with full schedules of school, activities, and sports, I was struggling to fit in teaching them simple everyday manners, much less proper social etiquette. So when Kelly presented the idea to me of an Etiquette and Manners course it was an aha moment and I was all in! I am eager and excited to give children a toolbelt of social and etiquette skills to help them thrive in everyday interactions. Personally, I am enjoying this current season of life shuttling my kids to and from their activities and of course being a spectator to them as well! I also enjoy fashion, fitness and a recent pursuit of Catholicism. I am proudly from St. Louis, Go Cardinals and Blues!
SUMMARY
Ready.Set.Etiquette will focus on the growth and development of skills that are necessary for children to learn in order to communicate better, think of others instead of themselves, and present themselves with confidence. Like all educational lessons, presentation and content may be modified to accommodate learners’ needs.
