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Dear Villa,
Happy June to all! And it is a happy time, indeed. Congratulations on the (almost!) completion of another wonderful school year. It has been a remarkable year of growth and transformation for Villa Academy, particularly for our young people. I recommend that you scan your photos and look back at those taken on the first day(s) of school; you’ll be truly amazed at how our children have grown up before our eyes. This is a time for reflection and celebration as we review the year. Some “food for thought” questions for the dinner table: What’s been your favorite memory of this school year? What was hard, and what are you most proud of? What new thing(s) did you try? What surprised you?
After many, many seasons of working in schools, I’ve found that each year has its own particular “flavor,” and that no two are exactly alike. More often than not, the years are punctuated by experiences with people, as relationships with others profoundly shape our lives. Villa Academy is a school rooted in relationships, where our children are deeply known, challenged, and celebrated. Similarly, it is a school in which the partnerships between families, faculty, and staff foster a connected community in which all can thrive. In reflecting upon the following colleagues who will be concluding their time at Villa, I experience waves of appreciation and gratitude: for the people they are, the gifts that they have shared with our community, and the years they have spent nurturing our students. We honor and celebrate:
Sydney Williams, beloved Extended Day staff member, who has spent the past two school years supporting our beyond-the-school-day programming. Whether playing out on the yard, guiding students through conflict resolution, preparing different activity stations, or whole-heartedly listening to our children’s needs, Sydney has been a kind and consistent presence in their lives.
Alex Ike, who, for the past two years, has powerfully impacted our students’ experience in her role as a Villa Learning Support teacher. Particularly focused on the changing academic needs of our intermediate grades students, Alex has been a supporter of all, serving as an incredibly thoughtful, positive, and communicative coach and advocate in the lives of our growing scholars.
Cate Williams, also of Extended Day fame, will be signing off after her third year as a member of our team, heading out to continue her education. Exceptional in her ability to stay truly present with students, even through challenging, end-of-day-big-feelings conversations, Cate has been a wonderful partner to the program and to the school–we will miss her positivity and enthusiasm!
Thank you, Michelle Sullivan, for your thoughtful, sensitive leadership across some of the most challenging years the education world has seen. Always open to new challenges and ways of seeing things, including a reconfiguration of Grades 3-5, Michelle has been a true champion of students and faculty, a dedicated collaborator, and a committed researcher! We will always remember your profound care.
Martin Lindenmeyer, Middle School Science and Math teacher extraordinaire, is heading back to his roots in Portland, Oregon, where he and his partner have purchased a home. Thank you, Martin, for being instrumental in helping reimagine Villa’s Middle School Science curriculum, and for your demonstrated commitment to transformative outdoor, experiential education. Your fine work is leaving Villa stronger than you found it.
Kim Alessi, who has helped guide our students and faculty through adventures in technology since 2015–you, too, have made a significant impact on Villa’s program. Thank you for the gifts of technology education, thought partnership, the launch of our Middle School Computer Science curriculum, all of the great video coverage, and the best Second Grade podcasts one could imagine!
Cope Miller, our trusted Athletic Director, has been an endless source of encouragement and positivity, and is now retiring after twelve dedicated years at Villa. Thank you for introducing so many Villa students to the joys of youth sports, the lessons learned through healthy competition, and the importance of taking personal responsibility for self and others (and for our beautiful field!). We will miss you!
And Pam Sprute, who came to Villa as a Learning Support specialist following years of leadership in local Catholic schools. Thank you, Pam, for spending the last fifteen years dedicated to the development of the whole child, for truly living the Cabrinian tradition of “educating the heart,” for seeing our students as the complex individuals they are, and for always being a safe and loving “landing spot” for all.
We will certainly miss our people, and we know they take us with them as they move forward into new adventures. May they remember all of the laughs, silliness, accomplishments, and joy, as we certainly will.
Looking ahead at the next two weeks, they will unquestionably be busy ones for us all! I hope that I will see you at our beloved end-of-year BBQ this Friday. What a wonderful way to celebrate the close of the 2023-24 school year–with friends, family, and community.
All my best,
Liz Willis, PhD
Villa Academy Head of School
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