Ever wonder how administrators stay connected to student life at UCDS? Michelle Wilson explains some of the ways our non-teachers engage with our young people. -Ed.

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I’m not a teacher, but I love working with kids.  At many schools, administrators have little to no contact with the students that they work so hard to support. This is one of the many reasons I love working at UCDS and what sets our school apart. Not only are administrators encouraged to interact with students, but the school’s leadership team goes out of its way to facilitate opportunities for these interactions to occur.

There are several examples of how non-teachers have a chance to make stronger connections with students at UCDS. This fall, the admin team was asked to help support our early elementary students in the science lab. If you’ve never had the chance to observe 3-5-year-olds pursuing scientific exploration, then you are missing out! There is really nothing better than watching our youngest learners experiment with new ideas and engage in the creative activities designed by our fabulous Science Specialist, Katie Morrison. Having the opportunity to work one-on-one with students, to learn their names, and get a sense of their learning styles is a true joy.  

Another great example of how UCDS administrators are able to engage with kids is through the school’s service-learning program. All UCDS 5th graders are assigned to a committee comprised of teachers and staff who mentor them through a year-long community service project. As committee members, UCDS admin are able to engage directly with our oldest students and form relationships with them. By the end of the school year, we have spent countless hours working on public service announcements, event management, and communication strategies.

By spending this time with students, we administrators feel a stronger connection to the mission of the school. More than that, it is great to walk through the hallways and have the students be able to identify you by name and vice-versa. This is UCDS community-building at its best!