This January marks nine years for me as an administrator at The Harley School, I am the Director of Marketing & Communications. My connection, however, goes back much further—to the day my youngest, now in Grade 12, started Kindergarten in Primary B with Mrs. Fenster and Mrs. Hanss. As a parent with graduates in the classes of ’23 and ’26, I have watched Harley successfully navigate the passions of two different children, providing them each with meaningful opportunities and challenges to help them grow.
Sharing the Magic, Sharing the Story
My role shifts daily, but my purpose is always to tell the Harley story and share the unique activities happening across the campus. I love creating events that invite people in because it’s the best way to showcase the school’s unique magic. I was so pleased with the Medical Careers Day I helped coordinate with students last year, and I’m excited about an upcoming weekend-long Filmmaking Workshop with author James Kennedy and several of my colleagues which is possible through a grant from the Rochester Teen Book Festival.
The vibrancy of student life is impossible to miss. My favorite example is Upper School Club Rush. It is fascinating to see the clubs students propose and run—the offerings reflect their diverse interests, ranging from social justice and service to simply getting together to eat cheese or play games.
The Lasting Gift
My own best K-12 school memories are from a private school I attended until fifth grade. Those teachers took the time to really know us, fostering creativity and instilling a civic, wide view of the world—a foundation that has proven essential throughout my life. Because the school was located at Prince Street downtown, we were able to participate in the life of the city, watching elephants being unloaded from train cars, parading through a senior living home in our Halloween costumes to the delight of the residents, and exploring the gardens, greenhouses, and apple trees in the neighborhood.
I’m grateful to work at a place that upholds that same type of mission. I’m proud to contribute to a school where the hard work of my colleagues provides every student with that profound and enduring gift: the ability to truly “Become What thou Art.”
