Caring for Our Community: In Conversation with Recently Hired Employees
In this continuation of our Select News series, |
we highlight some outstanding employees who have recently joined Friends Select as they share their perspectives of our school. |
Kyra Ortiz Mancuso, Upper School Science Teacher
How has teaching at Friends Select compared with your previous experiences in education?
It’s been better than I could’ve imagined. One of the things that I love about independent schools is the community that they create, and it was one of the things that I worried about leaving behind when I left my previous school. I was so relieved to find that the Friends Select community welcomed me with open arms from the moment that I came to give my demo lesson—before I was even hired! The students connect with me, the faculty are so supportive, and the way that the larger community of families and alumni always return to help out and reconnect with FSS is a testament to how the school really makes each student, family, faculty, and staff member feel loved.
What aspects of the school’s focus on community and care have stood out to you?
The best parts of working in a school are the relationships I form with students and other faculty members, and this school really emphasizes and appreciates that! It makes me feel so valued as a teacher and community member to know that my style of teaching and mentoring is really appreciated by my coworkers and students.
What has your experience been like collaborating with other faculty members and engaging with students outside of the classroom?
Friends Select really curates so many opportunities for us to connect outside of the classroom. From service days to field trips to community events to sports games, we get the chance to see so many parts of the community and to show so many different sides of ourselves. I especially love the service opportunities because there are so many students blended into each group, but we are all together to work on a shared goal of bettering the community.
Can you share a moment when you felt especially welcomed or supported by the
Friends Select staff?
So many small moments stand out: Deneen Young P’19 (admin-istrative assistant to the upper school director) who takes time to check on me and make sure I’m good each morning as I enter the STEAM Building; Natalie Mayer P’32 (upper school dean of academics) and Monica Higgins P’34, ’38 (upper school science teacher) who answered my hundreds of questions last year, no matter how big or small; Maria Fernanda Marquez Adrianza (upper school Spanish teacher) and others who encouraged me to sign up for the People of Color Conference so that I could connect with the other faculty members of color; and one of the earliest moments, when I received a notebook and welcome letter in the mail from Michael Gary (head of school) before I started my first day of work. These and more have added up to feelings of genuine support and appreciation. I can’t say enough about how grateful I am to have found myself at Friends Select.
Mark Caison, Receptionist
What has stood out to you about the Friends Select community since you joined?
The thing that has stood out the most is the inclusion of all individuals, including staff, without passing judgment. It’s about freedom of expression.
How have your interactions with students, families, faculty, and staff shaped your perception of the school’s culture?
My interactions have been positive so far. The students, families, faculty, and staff appear to be on the same page. In order for the culture and traditions to remain the same, consistency is very important.
In what ways do you feel supported by your colleagues in managing a central and busy
role at the school?
I feel supported because my peers and supervisor have been very helpful. I genuinely feel as though every employee here encourages success, and they will help you without judgment if you’re struggling or need guidance.
What were your initial perceptions of the Quaker setting of Friends Select, and what
are some things you’ve appreciated about it?
My initial perception was it would be a rigid environment. However, I found that not to be true. Even though this is a first-quality learning environment, it’s not rigid or restrictive, but it’s actually a creative, comfortable space to learn, which is open for everyone to explore. That’s what I appreciate.
Angela Winterrowd, Director of Leadership Gifts
What is your favorite part of your job as director of leadership gifts?
I love the opportunity to meet with members of the Friends Select community and build relationships, with parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends of the school. I consider it a privilege to hear their stories and experiences and to find ways to involve them with or connect them back with the school. At its best, philanthropy is about connecting a donor’s values and passions with the needs of the organization. When that synergy happens, it is very rewarding.
What is the best part of working at Friends Select?
The best part of Friends Select is the incredible community. From my very first day visiting the school, I was so taken by how genuinely welcoming and friendly everyone was, and the passion with which everyone approaches their work—especially our teachers. I find it is a place that truly lives its values, and that is reflected in how colleagues work with one another and how much they care about Friends Select and our students.
As someone who works closely with alumni, what would you say are characteristics of
Friends Select alums that you see across generations? What sets them apart?
Friends Select alumni are by and large grateful for the experiences and education they received at our school. They often reflect on how they still live by the Quaker values
they learned at FSS. They are individuals who care about other people, their community, and the world around them. They always talk about the incredible teachers at the school and the impact they’ve had on their careers and lives.
