Tales from the Team (Part 3)

At Contentra, every project has a story.

Some stories are about seeing a vision come together from concept to completion. Others are about navigating complexity, adapting in real time, and finding solutions through collaboration.

In this third installment of Tales from the Team, we’re highlighting two stories that showcase different aspects of the work we do and the people who make it happen.

From developing innovative educational programs to managing projects through periods of constant change, these stories reflect the creativity, flexibility, and teamwork that drive successful outcomes for our clients.

From Freelancer to Editorial Director

This project story is shared by Amy Weber, our Editorial Director of Social Studies.

Amy’s experience highlights the unique opportunity to contribute to a project at multiple stages of development and ultimately see the finished product come to life.

As a social studies freelancer at the time, I really sought out projects that were engaging and intriguing—as well as a challenge.

Contentra reached out to me to write some middle school minilessons and also some student-facing articles that were part of a brand new digital program that a major publisher was creating for Chicago Public Schools.

It seemed like a perfect fit.

Living just north of Chicago, I was pretty familiar with the CPS curriculum, and the program sounded like it would really engage students in the content.

It certainly wasn’t a typical social studies program—there was an inquiry journal for students, as well as a “playlist” of case studies, explorations, and investigations.

And for educators? A teacher facilitation guide.

As you might expect, I wrote about topics such as the Spanish-American War, yellow journalism, and World War I but also ones that were unique to the history and culture of Chicago, such as the vibrant Puerto Rican community.

But as a freelance writer, one often does not have the opportunity to see the end product.

Not this time!

Several months later, I was hired as the Editorial Director of Social Studies at Contentra and helped lead the final proofing of the CPS program.

Seeing all of the pieces come together to make the final product was certainly a challenge but also quite rewarding.

Finding Success in the “Messy Middle”

This project story is shared by Melissa Wisniewski, our Senior Project Manager.

While every project presents challenges, some require teams to adapt continuously while maintaining momentum, quality, and communication.

One project that stands out began as a relatively simple update to content but rapidly evolved into so much more.

It affected almost everything about how this project functioned, and it necessitated constant communication among teams, causing them to adjust their approach almost daily.

As the PM I was smack dab in the middle of it.

Sometimes I was reviewing our schedule and tracking deliverable deadlines; sometimes I was fixing process breaks in workflows, changing priorities, and assisting teams to maintain quality while still making progress.

“Organized Chaos” was now our standard operating procedure.

Collaboration was where the real magic happened.

Teams were stepping up to help other teams, asking difficult questions, creating new processes to handle the challenges, and working to find answers collectively rather than looking for someone to blame.

Projects like this create an entirely different kind of energy.

To be honest, these types of projects are my favorites.

These are the projects that challenge us to think creatively, communicate continuously, and trust those around us.

In the end, some of the best work Contentra does occurs during the “messy middle.”

While those days/weeks/months can be challenging, they are ultimately the same times when I feel most pride in the work we do and whom I get to work with on a daily basis.

Looking Ahead

While Amy’s and Melissa’s experiences are very different, both reflect themes that are central to how we work at Contentra.

One story highlights the satisfaction of contributing to a project from its earliest stages and ultimately helping guide it to completion.

The other demonstrates the value of collaboration, adaptability, and trust when projects evolve in unexpected ways.

Together, they serve as a reminder that some of the most rewarding work happens not only at the finish line, but throughout the journey itself.

These stories are just two examples from the many projects and partnerships that make our work meaningful and continue to challenge us to grow as professionals and as a team.

Check back for future editions of Tales from the Team as we continue highlighting the people, projects, and experiences behind the work we do at Contentra.

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