Influential Woman · Special Education, Independent Wine Consultant

Christy Scheall

Wine Consultant, WineShop At Home

Duluth, MN

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree College of St. Scholastica (one year and a semester) Degree University of Minnesota Degree Elementary Education Degree University of Wisconsin-Superior Degree Master's Degree Cert Wilson Reading Program Trained Trainer

Her Story

About Christy

I've been in education for 26 plus years and currently work from home as a special education evaluation manager, guiding a team of approximately 10 to 12 people. I'm responsible for making sure our special education evaluations are completed within the routine timelines required by the state and ensuring they're in compliance. Years ago when I was still in the classroom, I became a trained trainer for the Wilson Reading Program. I had been teaching it for a couple of years, and teaching children to read has always been a passion of mine, so to be able to learn how to train other adults in this reading program was quite meaningful to me. Just over a year ago, I started with Wine Shop at Home. When COVID hit, working from home became natural, but I was becoming very antisocial. I went to a wine tasting with some friends and fell in love with the wine. I'm one of those people that will help a host out any way I can, so I scheduled my own tasting, and it turned into the launch of my business. It's really allowed me to get out of the house, meet people, make additional income on the side, and I consider it my fun job. In the short time that I've been with Wine Shop at Home, I've actually worked myself up into a leader position.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Christy

01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

In the short time that I've been with Wine Shop at Home, I've actually worked myself up into a leader position, and I have been taught and learned from current leaders that you have to really walk the walk. My actions speak louder than my words, essentially. I need to not just tell my team what to do. I need to lead by example and show them. And I guess that would hold true in my full-time job as well.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would say that change is not always a bad thing. And if it's uncomfortable, it's definitely a good thing.

03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

In education, I guess maybe since COVID hit, we've had a lot of long-time teachers retire, so we're always short-staffed, and that makes it tough. It's difficult to be able to provide what we need for students. And I would say that students have also, I've seen a shift in their ability to attend school regularly, and seeing a lot more social, emotional, and behavioral challenges than we have in the past. And I just feel there's just no resources for teachers and parents to give kids what they need.

04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

I would say being the type of person where what you see is what you get. I'm real. I'm honest. And I think that with those qualities, people see my genuine personality. And it's really allowed me to have genuine relationships with the people that I come across. I really take that to heart. I am who I am, and take me or leave me.

Keep Exploring