Oakwood School Assistant Director of Development &
Oakwood Alumni Parent, Class of 2021
My journey with Oakwood began when we were looking for a middle school for my only child. Our goal was to find a school that would challenge my daughter academically and enhance her social skills. From the beautiful campus to the vibe of the staff and faculty, I immediately knew this was a special place. What I didn’t anticipate was just how involved with the community I would later become.
As a volunteer, I got a glimpse into the Oakwood community that was made up of exceptional leadership, caring teachers, and unique students. I say unique because each student is their own person. They are not just a number, they are not grouped into categories, but instead, they are each recognized as an individual and allowed to pave their way.
I started as a part-time employee allowed to focus on athletics, events, and community engagement—I loved it! Five years later, I am rewarded in ways that cannot be measured because it is a feeling I get from seeing the Oakwood students thrive in a multitude of different areas: academics, arts, and athletics, to name a few. Each student can be a scientist, digital artist, athlete, actor, musician, engineer, writer, club leader, and the list goes on. I have watched students try on these different hats to find out what their true passion is and pursue it.
While I cannot know how my daughter would have fared at another school, I know that her participation in various activities has molded her into a well-rounded person. I owe that to Oakwood.
My daughter graduated in 2021 and people often wonder why I continue to work here. There is only one answer—the Oakwood community. The support, camaraderie, generosity, spirit, and connections that I have because of Oakwood are invaluable to me both personally and professionally.
