Testimonials

Sergio
Operations, Order Entry Supervisor

I work in the Operations division of Handwriting Without Tears, in our Maryland office.  As Order Entry Supervisor, I manage a small, talented team that with passion and efficiency processes orders and works with other areas of the company facing diverse customer’s situations.

In this unique team environment, I practice critical thinking, decision making, organizational skills, and effective communication to improve the process.

We enter our customer’s requests in a data system under specific procedures, so I’m responsible for planning and organizing the team schedules for fast turnaround and response to customers’ satisfaction.

The challenges and the dedication we give to different projects enrich our intellectual and interpersonal lives. At the end of the day I leave thinking that we are doing a great job for the benefit of so many children.

Our team is very diverse in cultures and backgrounds. I find interest and love in this company that helps customers with educational material and promotes an equal opportunity and future for all employees. My role as a supervisor has many faces, but the most important is keeping the spirit of unity. I make sure that everyone has support and feel they are an important part of Handwriting Without Tears. Helping us to grow personally and improving our careers plays an important part in helping expand the organization.

An HWT founder employee was my neighbor and she insisted many times that I join them. This was a completely different field for me, and my background was not the right fit. Even though it was not the future I had envisioned, the flexible hours and friendly atmosphere made me take the opportunity. I was attracted to the integrity of the people and the perfect product waiting to reach millions of children. Since then, being part of HWT is my dream.

It was a pleasure to start helping with something that has to move forward and doing any task big and small. The time, the positive thinking, the virtues of the people that put together the strategies, the faithful customers and advocates, helped the program be a valuable tool for education.

One day I reached the position I have today, to manage this department and to inspire others to excel with good habits and personality, to guide with strength, motivate newcomers, and multiply the benefits of our goals.

Elise
Accounting Manager

I have been employed at Handwriting Without Tears since 1999. In the 9 years that I have worked for the company, I have seen many changes. Back then, the company was in Jan Olsen’s basement. Eric Olsen interviewed me in Jan’s kitchen dressed in shorts, a t-shirt, and bare feet. I arrived for my interview professionally dressed in a suit. When Eric called and offered me the job, he said he just had one concern: did I own a pair of jeans! Back then we all dressed very casually and pitched in and did whatever was needed to get the work done. I not only did the accounting work, I answered the phone, took orders from customers, managed employee benefits, coordinated workshops, purchased products from domestic and international vendors, and helped with facilities management among other tasks.

Over the years, the company has continued to grow, hiring many new people all over the country, expanding its product line, shipping orders all over the world, and training more parents and educators in how to use the wonderful program through its many workshops. As the company grew, so did my department. I became the Accounting and HR Manager, hiring, training, and supporting staff. Recently, I relinquished my HR responsibilities to focus on developing and maintaining effective internal accounting controls. My days are now filled with managing the accounting functions of the company with the help of an outstanding group of people. 

One area that I have especially enjoyed is having the opportunity to mentor high school and college students. Handwriting Without Tears works with neighboring high schools and colleges to allow students to intern at the company’s various offices. It is personally rewarding to be able to coach and teach these students by exposing them to daily business operations in a professional business environment. It is amazing to see these young people blossom into young adults. Some decide to stay on after they graduate and pursue regular employment with HWT.

Handwriting Without Tears’ mission is "to make learning and teaching easy and fun by providing superior educational products, training, and promotional materials to educators and parents." I would have to say that the same spirit and passion is carried over in the way the company is managed. Management strives to make the company an enjoyable place to work with its various activities for employees: pizza Fridays, annual company cookouts, turkey fries, gift exchanges, and sports tickets. Casual dress is still the rule, but shoes are now required!

Chelsea
Customer Service Representative 

I joined hands with this educational group several years ago. I am goal-orientated and a team player. I work with my colleagues to help resolve customer matters, provide speedy and efficient service, and handle customers’ orders nationwide.

My duties include, but are not limited to, handling US phone orders, consulting prices with international clientele, and advising parents, educators, and resellers on what products to purchase so that they can use the Handwriting Without Tears products to their maximum potential.

HWT has incorporated their family value philosophy and relaxed work climate to allow employees like me to have a flexible work schedule, attend school, and care for my family. Employees always have open lines of communication to higher supervisory staff.

Tears of joy escape me when I know that a tear isn’t being shed to learn how to write. I am able to reflect on this from feedback from phone conversations and emails sent by overjoyed parents and professionals. In today’s education realm, handwriting is a necessary tool for communication, yet not always focused on. It’s rewarding to reflect at the end of the day and know that you are employed in a company that promotes this kind of beneficial service.

Lori
Training, Workshop Supervisor

I began working at Handwriting Without Tears (HWT) approximately six years ago. HWT offered me the flexible scheduling that I was looking for to find balance between  my career and my young family. Prior to working at HWT, I was not familiar with the company or any of their products. It was not long after I began working at HWT when I really started believing in the company and the impact its products could have on children’s handwriting. I also discovered that HWT was quickly catching on with its customers and audience.

When I began at HWT, I was not sure how my career path would develop and change. I started as a HWT Sponsored Workshop Coordinator, which meant that I researched and booked workshop at various destinations (e.g., hotels, universities, conference centers) across the United States where HWT held its workshops.

After a few years of being a HWT Sponsored Coordinator, I had the opportunity to become a School Sponsored Coordinator. In this position, I was able to work directly with the school sponsors to organize workshops at their schools or organizations and speak with them frequently regarding their handwriting needs. This was a great opportunity for me to learn another aspect of HWT’s business. It also allowed me to work directly with the sponsors and organizations that use HWT’s products. I really enjoyed this position because I had frequent interaction with our customers and was able to learn “first hand” how HWT was benefiting children and all of the occupational therapists and teachers who were bringing HWT to their classrooms.

Currently, I am the Workshop Supervisor, which means I oversee the coordination and processes for both the HWT Sponsored Workshops and School Sponsored Workshops.

I am extremely grateful for the knowledge and support I have been given and glad to have been able to work on the HWT Workshop team for the past six years. It has been and continues to be great company to work for and grow with, all while making a positive impact on the many schools and young students that use HWT’s products.