Professional Community Presentations Center Around Joy and Belonging Ahead of 2024-2025 School Year

St. Margaret’s professional community came together for a week of classroom preparation, meetings, reflections and messages of joy and belonging, ahead of the first day of classes for Lower School, Middle School and Upper School next week. 

 

The faculty and staff were treated to insightful and enlightening presentations over two days. On Thursday, four Upper School students involved in the Tartan Inclusivity and Diversity Education (TIDE) student leadership group—America Reyes-Mendoza, Elie Shook, Grace Allen and Sophia Barnes—as well as world languages teacher Meredith Vazquez and Director of Equity and Inclusion Victor Cota, came together in a moving presentation centered around joy and how each of them find joy within their own personal story as well as within the St. Margaret’s school community. 

 

“My hope is that you can find joy for yourself, and that you can help each other and your students feel seen, be loved, and live in joy,” America told the professional community.

 

Elie added: “I think if you can leave a young person like myself feeling confident in themselves and supported by the surrounding community, you’ve succeeded in making them feel seen and have brought them joy for years to come.”

 

Sophia and Grace then spoke together about their growing friendship and how joy has become a centerpiece in their role as student leaders. “Both Grace and I have had the ability to grow as leaders and as TIDE students because we continue to lead lives of learning that allow us to continue experiencing joy and creating it for others,” Sophia said. 

 

On Friday, the professional community was treated to an inspiring talk by Jason Craige Harris, a consultant, leader, educator and speaker who shared a message on the importance of belonging in a school environment through storytelling, interactive questions and important takeaways. 

 

Mr. Harris also spoke separately with Upper School and Middle School faculty as well as school leaders from every division during his visit to St. Margaret’s. 

 

Thank you to all of the presenters for your inspiring stories and enlightening messages!