News Detail
Trustee Spotlight
What motivated you to join the Board, and what will you miss about it?
When we arrived at Burke in 2013, I became one of the 6th grade parent reps. It was a wonderful introduction to the grade and community as a whole. I served in that role all through Middle School and signed up one more time for my daughter's senior year in 2020-21.
I was approached and said yes to being a Trustee in 2016. I will complete my sixth and final year as a Trustee this June. Having always been involved in both my children's schools, I was motivated to join the Board because I believe in the mission of Burke. I wanted to work with other Trustees to continue to promote Burke as a school where all are welcome – you can bring your whole self to school. Children who leave this institution are well prepared for their next chapter. I also wanted to be a part of the exciting projects that the school, as part of their strategic plan, had begun to work towards.
I'll most miss working with my colleagues, engaging in new projects and just being in the building with all that good kid energy!
When we arrived at Burke in 2013, I became one of the 6th grade parent reps. It was a wonderful introduction to the grade and community as a whole. I served in that role all through Middle School and signed up one more time for my daughter's senior year in 2020-21.
I was approached and said yes to being a Trustee in 2016. I will complete my sixth and final year as a Trustee this June. Having always been involved in both my children's schools, I was motivated to join the Board because I believe in the mission of Burke. I wanted to work with other Trustees to continue to promote Burke as a school where all are welcome – you can bring your whole self to school. Children who leave this institution are well prepared for their next chapter. I also wanted to be a part of the exciting projects that the school, as part of their strategic plan, had begun to work towards.
I'll most miss working with my colleagues, engaging in new projects and just being in the building with all that good kid energy!
What skills and experience do you bring to the Board?
Having been a parent of two children in the independent school world since they were in preschool, and as a Trustee at Lowell School for six years (where I was a member of the Executive Committee, co-chair of the Diversity Committee, and a member of the Trustees Affairs committee), I have a keen understanding of the independent school landscape from the parent perspective – and professionally, as a former educator.
Do you have any advice for new families looking to get involved?
Come into the building, fill out your volunteer form, there is something for everyone. Attend school events, (the Auction is a fun time!), go to sporting events, go to the musicals, go to the plays, go to the art shows, go to the band and choral performances, whether your child is participating or not. Come in, you are welcome here.
Tell us about a favorite memory as a Burke parent.
One that stands out is being at the Burke Talent Show, in the Atrium Seeing the variety of acts, from magic to gaming, and, yes, we had singers and musicians and poets, and everything in between. Watching and feeling the energy of their peers fully and wholeheartedly supporting the performers. No one was alone, and everyone was having fun, including, administrators, faculty, and staff. The Halloween costume assemblies were also a blast and, the holiday party where all of us sing together as a community. Nothing like it.
Tell us about a favorite Auction memory.
I've never missed one! This year's auction was the one for me. We had been apart as a community for more than two years. I walked up and saw everyone standing in the carpool drive lane, the band was playing, I saw people's full faces for the first time, in person. I have to admit, I was a little teary and then the evening just got better and better and better. I said to myself: "This is Burke. We are Burke."
Tell us about a rewarding Board experience.
Hands down, the success of the Stand With Burke Campaign. I remember sitting in the Board room, listening to the plan to raise $6 million dollars. We were all looking at one another trying to imagine: how this was ever going to happen? But together with the leadership from our Board, and the leadership from our Director of Development Jen Rawlings, and her team, we did it!
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Having been a parent of two children in the independent school world since they were in preschool, and as a Trustee at Lowell School for six years (where I was a member of the Executive Committee, co-chair of the Diversity Committee, and a member of the Trustees Affairs committee), I have a keen understanding of the independent school landscape from the parent perspective – and professionally, as a former educator.
Do you have any advice for new families looking to get involved?
Come into the building, fill out your volunteer form, there is something for everyone. Attend school events, (the Auction is a fun time!), go to sporting events, go to the musicals, go to the plays, go to the art shows, go to the band and choral performances, whether your child is participating or not. Come in, you are welcome here.
Tell us about a favorite memory as a Burke parent.
One that stands out is being at the Burke Talent Show, in the Atrium Seeing the variety of acts, from magic to gaming, and, yes, we had singers and musicians and poets, and everything in between. Watching and feeling the energy of their peers fully and wholeheartedly supporting the performers. No one was alone, and everyone was having fun, including, administrators, faculty, and staff. The Halloween costume assemblies were also a blast and, the holiday party where all of us sing together as a community. Nothing like it.
Tell us about a favorite Auction memory.
I've never missed one! This year's auction was the one for me. We had been apart as a community for more than two years. I walked up and saw everyone standing in the carpool drive lane, the band was playing, I saw people's full faces for the first time, in person. I have to admit, I was a little teary and then the evening just got better and better and better. I said to myself: "This is Burke. We are Burke."
Tell us about a rewarding Board experience.
Hands down, the success of the Stand With Burke Campaign. I remember sitting in the Board room, listening to the plan to raise $6 million dollars. We were all looking at one another trying to imagine: how this was ever going to happen? But together with the leadership from our Board, and the leadership from our Director of Development Jen Rawlings, and her team, we did it!
Co-ed, progressive, college prep school in Washington, DC featuring a challenging curriculum in an inclusive environment for grades 6-12.
4101 Connecticut Ave NW Washington, DC 20008 | Phone: 202-362-8882 | Fax: 202-362-1914