Alma team members share how their past careers in education evolved into roles that positively impact students globally with Alma.
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Here’s an inside look at Jillian’s journey and the lessons she’s learned along the way:
With a career that spans teaching, school leadership, and now EdTech, Jillian has always been driven by her desire to positively impact students. Her transition from a principal to an advocate for Alma’s transformative platform allows her to continue making an impact on a larger scale—empowering districts and educators across the country.
The leap into education
Jillian began her career as a first-grade teacher, and over time, expanded her role to include teaching kindergarten, 4th grade, and preschool. She later became a PK-12 principal and even taught graduate-level education courses. This diverse background gave Jillian deep insights into the needs of both students and educators, preparing her to make meaningful contributions at every level of education.
First encounter with Alma
Jillian’s first encounter with Alma came when her district was searching for a modern student information system (SIS). “We reviewed all the options in Colorado, but nothing felt right,” she recalls. “That’s when we found Alma. It wasn’t available in Colorado yet, but we became the first district in the state to adopt it.” Jillian was drawn to Alma’s ability to support both traditional and standards-based grading, but what really impressed her was how Alma helped to foster increased family engagement—a challenge her district had struggled with. Seeing the impact it had on parent involvement and student success, Jillian made the leap into a sales role at Alma. “I’m an educator at heart, and I can’t sell just anything. But Alma isn’t just software; it’s a tool that genuinely makes a difference in education,” she shares.
The turning point
While Jillian loved being a principal, the demands of the job and the desire for more work-life balance drove her decision to transition. “I was working long hours, and my daughter was often with me at school early in the morning and late into the evening. I needed to be more present for her,” Jillian explains. “I saw Alma’s potential to have a positive impact, and I wanted to be a part of that mission.”
Implementation experience
Jillian’s firsthand experience with Alma as a principal shaped her understanding of how powerful the platform can be. “We chose Alma because it could support both traditional and standards-based grading, but what surprised me was how it also helped increase family engagement,” she says. With Alma’s communication features and mobile app, parents became more engaged with their children’s education. As a result, not only did family involvement improve, but test scores and growth scores also showed significant improvement. “It was exciting to see the direct correlation between Alma’s platform and our improved student outcomes,” Jillian reflects.
Making the leap
Transitioning from a principal to Alma’s sales team was a big shift for Jillian, but her knowledge of Alma made the change smooth. “I had played a major role in Alma’s implementation at my district, so I already knew the product inside and out,” she explains. “While I didn’t have any sales experience, my belief in Alma made it easy to talk about how it could positively impact other schools and districts.”
Alma’s impact
Having experienced Alma from both the user and employee perspectives, Jillian has seen how the platform is changing the educational landscape. “I truly believe Alma is making a meaningful impact on student success,” she says. “Increasing family engagement has a direct positive effect on student outcomes, and it’s exciting to see Alma support our customers in this area.” Jillian also highlights the power of Alma’s real-time data analytics, which help school leaders make informed, data-driven decisions. “I love hearing success stories from districts that have used the data to reduce behavior incidents or create targeted intervention groups based on real-time information.”
Since joining Alma, Jillian has witnessed incredible growth in the platform. “One of the things I appreciate most is how responsive our product team is. They genuinely listen to the feedback I hear from districts, and that insight directly influences our development,” she shares. “Just a few weeks ago, I was thrilled to share with a district that an idea they had brought up was implemented in Alma. Moments like that show the collaborative spirit and continuous innovation that define our work.”
Biggest takeaways
Looking back, Jillian reflects on the importance of partnership—both with educators and within the Alma team. “As a former principal, I know how important it is to have tools that support the work happening in schools,” she says. “At Alma, I’ve seen firsthand how listening to district leaders and understanding their challenges can directly shape a product that drives real change.”
Jillian is also inspired by the impact that small ideas can have on product development. “It’s been incredible to watch how even small ideas shared during a conversation with a district can evolve into meaningful updates that impact student success,” she adds. “That collaboration is what makes Alma different.”
Role at Alma
Jillian finds fulfillment in connecting with district leaders from across the country. “Serving as a principal was one of the most challenging—and rewarding—roles I’ve had,” she shares. “I have a deep appreciation for the dedication it takes. It’s inspiring to see so many passionate educators still pushing for what’s best for their students. If I can offer resources that save them time and make their work a little easier, it’s incredibly fulfilling for me.”
Vision for the future
Jillian believes Alma is shaping the future of student information systems. “We go beyond making day-to-day tasks easier; we want to positively impact student success,” she says. “That’s what makes Alma different. I get up every day excited because I know we are making a difference in the schools and districts that use Alma, and it’s exciting to extend that impact globally.”
Advice to educators
Jillian’s advice for educators using Alma is to focus on strategic goals. “Share your goals with your onboarding team and customer success manager. They’ll work with you to ensure you’re using Alma’s features in a way that aligns with your vision for success,” she says. “Change your mindset from ‘I want to run this report’ to thinking about the bigger picture, and we can help you get there.”
Jillian’s journey demonstrates the power of blending education experience with innovative technology to create lasting change. Alma’s platform continues to impact the educational landscape, and Jillian is proud to be part of that mission.
Reach out to Jillian to learn more about how Alma can benefit your school or district or schedule a personalized demo with her here.
You can also email her @ jillian.sciacca@getalma.com
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At Alma, most of our team started their careers in education, from teaching to school leadership. Now, they’re making a global impact through their roles with us. Our “Journeys to Alma” series highlights these unique stories to showcase how their past experiences continue to shape the future of education.
