By Dr. Wendy Lawrence, Inspire Contributor

As we commemorate our community members celebrating their anniversaries, it’s obvious how much they have influenced this school. They have been here through so much change, and one attribute that certainly helped drive that is something their peers noticed about all of them: curiosity. As the school changes around them, with them, and because of them, they ask the tough questions, critically and kindly guiding the Eastside Prep community to be its best collective self.

Fifteen Years

 

Katie Dodd
Science Faculty

“It’s all about the relationships,” says Katie Dodd, as she looks back on fifteen years at Eastside Prep. She’s not sure if she can choose a favorite moment, but she knows it would be one of the many she shared with a colleague or a student. Her peers wouldn’t be surprised to hear her say that. “Katie will always show up for you,” says Krissy Russell, Science Faculty. Dodd shows up in the EPS community with a well-loved mix of humor, curiosity, and intent. Dodd says one of her greatest lessons is to hold herself to the recommendations she gives her students. Remember to show yourself grace and give yourself permission to learn and grow. Karen Mills, Literary Thinking Faculty and Faculty Development Coordinator, recognizes this lifelong learning habit as one of Dodd’s greatest strengths. “Her desire to know is all powerful.” She’s serious and she’s funny. “I love her sardonic sense of humor,” says science colleague Barton Barrager adding that she has natural leadership abilities and the highest integrity.

Paul Hagen
Director of Student Well-Being

Paul Hagen loves the magic, excitement, nerves, and potential of the first day of school. Every year, he stands on the Sport Court to welcome new students as they arrive—it’s one of his favorite moments of the year. The EPS community and the way people learn and work together has helped Hagen learn to be more present in each moment. David Kelly-Hedrick, Literary Thinking Faculty and Experiential Coordinator, says Hagen’s greatest trait is empathy. “He gives everyone the benefit of the doubt, assumes good intentions, and helps to guide colleagues and students on their best paths.” Kelly-Hedrick adds, “He does this in a kind, humorous, listening—and sometimes long-winded!!—way.” Hagen brings a truly amazing and appreciated can-do attitude and jumps in to help with such a wide variety of programming. He can switch gears quickly from a board meeting to running a social-emotional activity for fifth graders to dealing with a tense matter of restorative justice. Hagen is consistent, thoughtful, and kind.

Sam Uzwack
Head of School

Sam Uzwack’s favorite EPS moment keeps happening—it’s when the seniors welcome the fifth graders to their fall orientations. “The looks on their faces are priceless. And the care with which the seniors look after our youngest students is remarkable.” The moment marks the meaning of a fifth through twelfth school, where mentorship matters. Uzwack sees EPS as a place full of hope. Mehrane Mokdad, Board President, sees those values Uzwack loves about EPS reflected in the man himself. “Sam embodies Eastside Prep’s mission and is a steward of its unique culture. His deep conviction in Eastside Prep’s student-centric approach and his ability to support and connect with the amazing talent are among his many gifts.” Mokdad says, “He deeply listens and reads those around him. He can hear the unsaid and sense the energy in the room. He does everything with empathy, compassion, and genuine care.” Karen Mills, Literary Thinking Faculty and Faculty Development Coordinator, says Uzwack “leans into education. He observes, listens, and distills the heart of every situation.” Uzwack has been unendingly dedicated and, as Bart Gummere, Associate Head of School for College Counseling and Alumni Relations, describes, “He’s been positive and upbeat, taking his work seriously without ever taking himself too seriously.”

Kelly Violette
College Counselor and Spanish Faculty

Kelly Violette shows up with kindness, generosity, and loyalty. “When you need support from someone, you can’t do better than Kelly,” says fellow Spanish teacher Malcolm Yates. “She strengthens our institution with meaningful, respective, and genuinely constructive criticism.” Colleagues love her sense of humor and notice how she excels at mixing fun and structure in her classes, but they are absolutely in awe of her color-coded calendar and planning system. Elena Olsen, English Faculty, loves her silly sense of humor, her huge heart, and her ability to cheer anyone up on a bad day. She adds that Violette’s greatest gift to EPS is “her empathetic heart and willingness to run a marathon (probably literally) for any of her colleagues and friends.” Allison Luhrs, College Counselor, adds, “She can make just about anything funny and regularly enlivens meetings with her one-liners and stories.” Like others, Gummere respects her incredible commitment to the school and her students and the way she can laugh at herself about almost anything.

Ten Years

 

Ian Duncan
Theatre and English Faculty

In ten years, EPS has taught Ian Duncan that autonomy, choice, and self-expression may be messy at times, but are essential to education and growth. In turn, Duncan’s students have learned from him how to choose words carefully and how to instantly portray emotion through a small gesture. Duncan’s directorial choices have been a gift to EPS that constantly challenge our community while amplifying diverse voices on stage. His passion for equity and inclusion through thoughtful storytelling has built an amazing program. Students look up to his professionalism, seek his feedback, and try to live up to his high expectations. And importantly, he can make a pun out of anything.

Ginger Ellingson
Director of Fine and Performing Arts

Ginger Ellingson brings the gift of perspective and communication to her leadership of the Arts. Her team loves watching her get excited (“off the rails” even!) about a new idea at a meeting and is in awe of her ability to put out a million fires while simultaneously creating all the great plans that make the Fine and Performing Arts programs succeed. Ellingson mixes professionalism with an innovative open-mindedness about what school means. She is always questioning—what will make this better for the students? For the audience? For the teachers? Around Ellingson, music students are free to share their vulnerabilities and be present as their true selves.

Steve Fassino
Math Faculty

Steve Fassino is described by colleagues as a “goofball.” He’s approachable and friendly; he’s an ally and a mentor; and he’s always up for trying new things. He brings an unparalleled enthusiasm for anything he chooses or is asked to do. One of Fassino’s favorite EPS memories is performing a Māori combat routine with students on an EBC Week trip to New Zealand. Everyone loves how much Fassino cares and how he shows that care through his actions, whether that’s helping a student with homework, coaching an athlete, or helping a coworker…he always has time for everyone else. The current Math Discipline Lead, he leads with patience and calmness.

Javier Fernandez
Dining Services Support

Javier Fernandez is, of course, well-loved for his legendary breakfasts and remarkable kindness. Students seem to gravitate toward his potatoes, but colleagues love the Eggs Benedict. Truly, all of his contributions to the Dining Services Team have been impactful. He consistently goes the extra mile to make everyone feel special and never refuses a breakfast request, regardless of how busy he might be. If Javi’s ever been in a bad mood, his colleagues haven’t seen it. He brings to EPS a kind heart, a willingness to help anyone, and an incredible ability to manage complex orders during busy times.

Dr. Josefa Ruiz Mercader
Spanish Faculty

Colleagues admire Josefa Ruiz Mercader for her wisdom, kindness, and her innovation in her teaching. She stays up to date with current pedagogical thinking, pushing herself to respond to student needs and interests, and generously shares her methods with colleagues. Ruiz Mercader is thoughtful and she brings a methodological, analytical mind to her teaching and planning. Colleagues also remark on her thoughtfulness, noting that she pays attention to how people are doing (students, faculty, staff, families)

and really thinks about people’s well-being when making decisions. While students love Ruiz Mercader’s energy, her greatest gift to EPS may be her passion for the Spanish language.

Jeff Sternitzky
Campus Ambassador

Jeff Sternitzky is at EPS for the students, and watching how his son is gaining friendship, connection, and discipline in Ultimate has been his favorite moment. As a staff member, he is often learning from students, “They teach me something every year.” Sternitzky greets students every morning and knows which ones like a loud welcome and eye contact and which ones prefer to avoid a public greeting but might enjoy a quiet conversation over lunch. He is a great listener and is always happy to fill in at the last minute. Colleagues love how much Sternitzky cares for the place and the people here—how he genuinely wants to know how they are doing every single day—and how he knows EVERYONE’S name!

Ryan Winkelmann
Historical Thinking Faculty

Ryan Winkelmann is a passionate teacher who is great at being fully present in the moment. A role model who is always working to make himself better, he makes those around him better as well. Winkelmann leads a Fantasy Football Club where students are wonderfully open and kind to each other. Colleagues love how supportive he is and how he loves to celebrate everyone else’s wins—he can often be heard bragging about a colleague’s success. People might think Winkelmann’s superpower is fantasy football, but his greatest superpower is actually his belief in others.

Five Years

 

Jeff Bandel
Science Faculty

Jeff Bandel loves the way the boundless energy of his students keeps him on his toes. Colleagues appreciate that he is friendly, generous, funny, and easy to have an honest conversation with. Bandel connects authentically with students and always stays cool under pressure. He always seems to have an inside joke only teens can understand—it helps that he is a Swiftie and well-versed in Gen Z culture!

Jennifer Chi
Admissions Communications & Events Coordinator

Jennifer Chi commits to her work with her whole heart. She brings kindness and patience to the application process and is always considering how the smallest things will affect students and parents. Alwa

Stephanie Hinson
Director of Health Services

Stephanie Hinson loved the moment we could finally take off our masks and smile at each other after the pandemic. She managed EPS beautifully throughout COVID-19 and continues to bring her no-nonsense approach, all with great care. Hinson is truly kind and is deeply respected for her expertise, work ethic, and empathy. Even in a crisis, Hinson can make you laugh until you cry. Hinson notes that EPS students have taught her how to make space for their own individuality.

 

Kim Marzano
Administrative Assistant to Student Well-Being

Kim Marzano supports so many different programs—she is constantly juggling logistics and travel plans for EBC, arranging field trips, taking notes at meetings, carrying supplies around campus—and seemingly all at the same time! She puts together fun events for the well-being team to celebrate each other and bond as a group. Marzano is thoughtful and dedicated; she radiates kindness and even brings home-baked cookies.

An Nuon
Physical Education Faculty

An Nuon is always willing to jump in and help, whether a bus needs driving or a fifth-grade team needs coaching. He’s humble, compassionate, and humorous and can somehow funnel the energy of thirty excited Middle School athletes into a coordinated and enriching event. Students love his calm passion and rise to his high expectations. Colleagues love how collaborative he is, how fun he is to work with—and his cool clothes!

Dr. John Stegeman
Head of Upper School

Dr. John Stegeman is thoughtful and kind and colleagues mention that they are inspired by his integrity. He’s also willing to engage with any community member and he cares deeply about the work he does. Students come to Stegeman because they know he will listen to them. Stegeman is a measured, thoughtful leader who demonstrates that taking a pause and asking good questions can get you through even the most turbulent times.

Masato Sudo
Technology Faculty

Masato Sudo will tell you that EPS students have taught him to be humble and genuine and that perfection is overrated and leaves no room for growth. Colleagues will say that Sudo is caring and compassionate with students and that he is tremendously good at inviting and receiving feedback of all kinds. Sudo is also able to be 100% present in any one-on-one conversation, and this resonates with students and colleagues alike.

 

This article marks the end of an era at Eastside Prep. This is the final article that Wendy Lawrence (Eastside Prep’s first Middle School Head and, for the last fifteen years, a consistent contributor to Inspire) will write for us. Wendy will tell you that writing for the magazine kept her connected to EPS. In truth, asking Wendy to write for us was our way to ensure that we could stay connected to her. Thank you, Wendy, for your many contributions to EPS and to Inspire!