Parent Society Corner

Posted on September 11, 2018

By Jeff Roberts

It is amazing to think that the Austin Waldorf School’s Parent Society is entering its 36th year of existence and that this year’s Leadership Council (PSLC) is the largest yet! With, count ‘em, a dozen parents as part of PSLC, the variety of experiences advocating on your behalf is unparalleled.

We have multiple parents from every level of AWS represented: high school, middle school, lower school, and kindergarten. We have experienced parents with over a dozen years at the school who have seen a variety of changes and we have parents in their second year at AWS who bring fresh perspectives. This year’s PSLC even includes an Austin Waldorf School alumni! This year’s installment of PSLC is varied, flexible, and ready to meet the needs of parents across the spectrum of our school.

What brings this myriad group of people together? A 36 year-old foundation of Parent Society’s culture of giving, selflessness, and a desire to make our community stronger. PSLC members were recently given an opportunity to respond to two questions. We daresay that the responses would have been similar whether they were given in 1983, 1993, 2003, 2013, or 2018. “Have a voice that is heard.” “There is a place for everyone.” “Meaningful and substantial.” “Place to make a difference.” “Many ways to engage and get involved.” “It’s actually fun.”

Whether you have been at the school for a few years or just a few weeks, there’s a place for you within the Parent Society. In fact, you’re already a member just by being a parent at the Austin Waldorf School! So come join us at our next general meeting this coming Wednesday, September 19th at 8:30am in the Orchestra Room.

The Parent Society Leadership Council was asked to reflect on these two prompts:

I was inspired to be a part of the PS Leadership Committee when…
With regards to the Parent Society, I wish more parents knew that…

Here is what they had to say.

Michelle Lemberger

I was inspired to be a part of PSLC when I saw how much fun the other members were having palling around while working in service of the school and community

I’d like everyone to know that getting involved does not have to mean you must take on a bunch of work (I know many are reluctant because they feel they will be asked to do too much or take on volunteer tasks they feel they don’t have time for) but instead is often an opportunity to find something to contribute that you will really enjoy doing! Additionally, you will love how good it feels to help out when you see your efforts truly helping the students, the school, and the community.

Sarah Jones

I was inspired to join when I saw that PSLC was a wonderful way to be an integral part of the AWS community and have a voice that is heard.

I wish that more parents knew how much fun we have being a part of the solution and having thoughtful conversations about how to make our beloved school an even better place to educate our children.

Ashleigh Tolliver

I knew I wanted to be a part of the school community as a resource for parents and support the parent’s desires, wants, and wishes.

I wish more parents felt that their voices were heard and that they can make a change. I recently heard a parent say “why should I go to meetings? I don’t make decisions the board does.”

Suzanne Tejada

I saw that PSLC needed more support. I felt like we could make a difference.

You can be as involved as you would like to be. There is a place for everyone and everyone has a voice. When you get involved it’s actually fun! You learn a lot about the school and you can help make the school better.

Megan Jones-Smith

I joined PSLC because I believe that if I care about something and want it to be the best it can be, I need to show up and pitch in however I can (and I wanted to model that for my kids especially whose school this is!).

I wish everyone knew that by participating, you have an inside view into how the school runs, how decisions are made, and how much everyone really is working with the children in mind. No more questioning or second guessing!

Katie Owen

I was inspired to be a part of the PSLC after I heard a panel of high school students during the last Parent Society meeting of the 2017-2018 school year. I was struck by how willing and open the students were to share their ideas and experiences with us. Their optimism and hope for our exceptional school was contagious. I want to be a part of making our school even more exceptional for them, for my own kids, and all the students at our school.

With regards to the Parent Society, I wish more parents knew how outstanding of an education and school they have chosen for their children. Nothing about Waldorf is “normal” and that’s why the students who graduate from AWS are remarkable among their peers. What effort is more valuable than giving a little time and effort towards something so meaningful and substantial?! This is everything!

Sue and Todd Nasca

We moved to Austin from another state just to attend AWS, we thought joining Parent Society would be a great way to dive in head first and meet and engage with the entire community!

There are many ways to engage and get involved even if you don’t have a ton of time (I mean, who does?) If not you, who? Just giving YOUR opinion helps! Swing by the meetings if only to give your thoughts! It doesn’t mean you’ll have to chair a big committee. It just means you’ll get more insight and info to make the best of your child’s education. Plus, there’s usually food!

Jeff Roberts

As a new AWS parent in 2012, I was eager to get involved with the school and support my kids any way that I could. I attended a Parent Society meeting that first September and I quickly realized there was a passion among a segment of the parents to make a difference at AWS. While I didn’t jump in with both feet right away, I soon realized that the Parent Society helped support all facets of the school – parents, faculty, and students alike- and knew that this was a place for me to make a difference.

I wish every parent knew that Parent Society is there for them, the children, and the staff who work with our kids on a daily basis! Parent Society truly benefits the whole school with a constant presence behind the scenes in advocating for a healthy school environment from the parents’ perspective.

Shir Shoham

I was inspired to join the Parent Society when I realized there was a lot I didn’t know about how the school works.

I wish more parents knew that they can make a change by being involved.

Parent Society Leadership Council members
2018-19 school year

Shir Shoham, President
Katie Owen, Vice-President
Megan Jones-Smith, Administrator
Michelle Lemberger, Treasurer and Board of Trustees Uplink
Suzanne Tejada, At Large
Sarah Jones, At Large
Jeff Roberts, At Large
Todd Nasca, At Large
Lucy Oglesby, At Large
Ashleigh Lang-Tolliver, At Large
Sue Nelson-Nasca, At Large
Rene Crosby, At Large

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