George Shaller, IT Support
What is one of your favorite memories of being a student at FSMN?
I have so many fond memories of the community here that it’s hard to pick! I think the experiences I still reflect on most were the one-on-one support and guidance of the faculty throughout my K-8 journey. FSMN created the foundation for my success in higher education, especially in the humanities, and fostered my creative spark that still burns today.
What drew you back to be a part of the FSMN community now?
I’ve stayed connected to the FSMN community through family and friends, and when I heard that FSMN needed hands-on tech support I jumped at the chance. Working for organizations with missions I believe in has always been my first career goal, and the chance to give back to this community was too good to pass up.
Is there a Quaker value you particularly still connect to and/or practice in your adult life?
In a world where the truth feels less important every day and powers great and small seek to divide us, I find myself returning to the values of integrity, community, and equality. I strive to uphold these values in both my work and the rest of my life however I can, because inclusion and community begin with the smallest actions.
AJ Wahlberg, Bayou and Tundra Teaching Assistant
What is one of your favorite memories of being a student at FSMN?
One of my favorite memories of being a student at FSMN is the overnight I went on in 1st and 2nd grade. I remember feeling like it was a such a special adventure to experience as a class!
What drew you back to be a part of the FSMN community now?
Both the co-worker and student body community is a very special dynamic. Everyone cares deeply for each other and it creates a warm synergy.
Is there a Quaker value you particularly still connect to and/or practice in your adult life?
Finding ways to practice peace in such a heavy world right now has been essential to connecting to my inner light. Highlighting the values in the social studies curriculum in the Bayou and Tundra, throughout the year, and at FGRJ have been great tools to learn more about how to connect the Quaker values to my everyday life.
Meara Cline, Interim Bayou and Tundra Teaching Assistant
What is one of your favorite memories of being a student at FSMN?
One of my favorite memories was helping with an 8th grade project where our whole class created a video to speak out against the homophobic 2012 marriage amendment proposal. Our entire class worked to produce the video, focusing on how love makes a family. We conducted a survey with FSMN families, reading how they defined family in their own words. Showing the video to our school community and seeing the responses from families from all grade levels was a very meaningful way to wrap up my last year at FSMN.
It also inspired me to be involved in student government and advocacy work in high school and college.
What drew you back to be a part of the FSMN community now?
In addition to my friends, I feel really lucky to have stayed connected to teachers and staff since graduation. I really enjoy working at a school where I can help students pivot back to the core values in times of conflict, as well as touchstones to celebrate their achievements.
Is there a Quaker value you particularly still connect to and/or practice in your adult life?
Regardless of other circumstances, I have noticed that I am the happiest when I am prioritizing my connection to community. From maintaining friendships, to playing sports and regularly connecting with students, I find that this value is consistently the most fun one to practice.
