Kerry Flanagan doesn’t hesitate for a second when asked about her most satisfying experiences. “There is no doubt,” she says. “It has been in any position connected with students,” whether in the classroom or in volunteer activities.

That said, it seems unusual at age 37 that Flanagan has spent only five years in the classroom. But she hasn’t been very far from students during her entire education-related career.

Since 2001, Flanagan has been the third highest ranking woman in the San Diego City School District as chief of staff for Superintendent Alan Bersin. Earlier, she worked for a company that sent consultants into school districts for specific assignments.

Flanagan will remain chief of staff for the immediate future until and if new Superintendent Carl A. Cohn makes changes. “I am sure there will be some transition,” she says, but she plans to remain with the district.

Flanagan’s teaching experience was in Virginia where she went to college. She earned her MBA at SDSU after being sent to San Diego in 1998 for other consultant work. Since joining the district, she has been credited with helping ensure the success of the San Diego Reads Literacy Campaign, the EarlyLink Preschool Initiative and HealthLink Collaborative.

In recent months, Flanagan has discovered a pastime reminiscent of her years growing up n a household of four competitive swimmers. She is learning VLAC crew, and is one of a team of eight and a coxswain learning sweep rowing.

Whatever change in her job may occur, Flanagan is optimistic, even if it is back to a classroom. Her partner, Keith DeLong, is a teacher. They share a home with Flanagan’s sister Erin. But when Flanagan mentions their “full house,” she is referring to the three dogs and two cats who also share the home.