New Beginnings

The palpable energy of new beginnings is something I feel deeply right before the start of a new school year. August is one of my favorite times, filled with planning, preparation, and the anticipation of the excitement and wonder ahead. Few outside of education truly understand the unique feeling of opening school doors to families and students. It’s part of what makes our profession so special.

I was fortunate to get a phone call from a longtime colleague, Katie Gibbons, Head of the Lower School at Alta Vista School. Networking is far from a dying art. In fact, it creates opportunities like this one. Katie invited me to present on design for learning to support the long-term goals of Alta Vista’s faculty.

Standing in front of educators I hadn’t met before was both daunting and exciting. Working with a new school community was challenging in the best way and incredibly rewarding. As Alta Vista prepared for the upcoming school year, I witnessed firsthand the dedication, creativity, and curiosity that drive lifelong learning. The air truly crackles with energy as a new year approaches, a feeling of fresh starts that never gets old.

Presenting on Universal Design for Learning (UDL)  gave me the chance to share information, strategies, and tools that can make a lasting impact on both teaching and more importantly student learning. During the presentation, I asked the faculty to really think about their own educational experience in terms of engagement, assessment and teacher delivery. Connecting the teachers to their experiences as learners is always important before looking ahead at their students and their needs. Our job as educators is to make sure our approach is not a traditional one-size-fits-all method, but to meet all the needs of all students. 

In my new role as a consultant and presenter, I’ve had to balance that familiar surge of excitement with a different kind of preparation. I’m no longer planning icebreakers, onboarding new faculty, or meeting with nervous parents. Instead, I provide support and guidance to help educators reach their goals.

Being part of Alta Vista School’s new beginnings reminded me why I entered into this role as a consultant and presenter. Collaborating with such a committed, creative, and kind faculty was a true pleasure, and their passion for learning continues to inspire me.