MTS Family Profiles
Sherry & Deniz Zorlu
The grade your child attends: 1st
Where you live: San Francisco
What drew you to MTS?
We were drawn to the thoughtfulness of the school and administrators. MTS offered multiple touch points and events throughout the Kindergarten application process so we could really get a feel for the community and the school's values. We remember being taken aback by how much consideration went into the first week of Kinder. The Kindergarten class started a week earlier and had the entire campus to themselves to acclimate to their new surroundings and friends. By the time the first day of school started, we felt like we had been part of MTS for years.
What is something that has surprised you about MTS?
We knew that MTS was the right fit for our family but we weren't prepared for how much Hudson would love it. It truly brings him so much joy. And we are learning alongside him! Also, he has made such amazing friendships last year; not only with students in his grade but also outside of his grade. I mean, he's a kindergartner and got invited to a second grade birthday party! That does not happen unless you have a school that fosters friendship and mentorship.
What is something that you bring from your family culture to MTS and how?
We are a multi-cultural family. We are Turkish and Korean and Deniz, Hudson's dad, is an immigrant. We are proud of our background and family values. This presents itself in a few ways; we get to explain our family background to Hudson's friends during family share and we show up with Korean snacks during AANHPI Celebration Day at MTS!
What is something you value about MTS?
We feel seen here. Hudson's teachers know who he is; what his strengths are as well as his stretch areas. With MTS, we feel confident that we have partners in Hudson's education and overall well-being. The feeling of partnership extends beyond the teachers. It's also evident in MTS families. The desire to raise curious and kind children is the binding force between teachers and families alike. It takes a village to raise a child and we are so happy that we found ours.
Anything else you’d like to share?
When looking at school options, someone advised: "look at the older kids because that's the end product" and in hindsight, there are no truer words. There's no other way to say it -- MTS is made up of thoughtful, well spoken, kind, and sweet students. They are the result of a community who surrounds them with care, encouragement and opportunity.
Ramona Polk
The grade your child attends: 1st
Where you live: Marin City
What drew you to MTS?
Small class sizes, individualized attention from teachers, location, and MTS’ vision to sustain a diverse, equitable, and inclusive school community.
What is something that has surprised you about MTS?
Campus culture and community. As an African American woman in predominantly white spaces, I normally feel isolated. Not at Mount Tam! Instead, I feel welcomed, included, and heard.
What is something that you bring from your family culture to MTS and how?
Our family is from Louisiana. For family day my daughter and I brought beignets and Mardi Gras beads, and read her favorite book, "The Runaway Beignet.”
What is something you value about MTS?
The academics. My daughter loves to learn. She has the opportunity to learn Mandarin and Spanish at just 6 years old. I love it when she comes home singing songs in other languages. I learn through her.
Anything else you’d like to share?
If I had a choice I would choose Mount Tam again and again!
Heather & David Erickson
The grade your children attend: 4th & 8th
Where you live: San Francisco
What drew you to MTS?
Along with the strong academics and the way the arts are incorporated in the curriculum, the supportive environment and all of the open green space drew us to MTS. We were moving to SF from the east coast and looking for a school community that would help ease the transition for our rising first grader. We knew we would be living in San Francisco and while Mill Valley seemed like quite a distance for our daughter to travel each day, we thought she would thrive at MTS (and she has).
What is something that has surprised you about MTS?
We are continually amazed by how much joy and dedication we experience from all the teachers and administrators. They not only love what they do, they delight in it. This is so evident in the many long tenures at the school, and in the smiles and stories we see and hear from my kids. We’ve also witnessed the school grow and develop under Andrew’s leadership, and are impressed by the ways challenges are addressed and dealt with wisdom and skill.
What is something that you bring from your family culture to MTS and how?
We love the ways in which MTS invites families to share who they are with each other. A few years ago, we were invited to lead a Gather during December so we could share a bit about the Christmas story (both of us are Episcopal priests). We brought in costumes to involve the kids (and make it fun), and shared our perspective on the story of Christmas.
What is something you value about MTS?
MTS seeks to nurture and mature the entire person. This is certainly a commitment to an excellent and rigorous education, and a strong commitment to the arts, the physical person, and our emotional lives as well. My kids are not just learning traditional subjects, they are becoming caring and capable people in the world.
Anything else you’d like to share?
The school bus is usually just scary for the parents, the kids love it! And if they don’t right away, it usually only takes a few days.
Sara Einhorn & Sam Shah
The grades your children attend: Twins in 3rd & 6th
Where you live: Mill Valley
What drew you to MTS?
Through friends, we heard about the incredible executive leadership at MTS and began to gently poke around. That quickly escalated to full-on research and conversations, and we quickly discovered the entire school, top to bottom, exuded leadership in so many different ways. We focused all of our energy on MTS and did not consider other independent schools. MTS felt small in size, but large, vast, and limitless in terms of educational opportunities, in and out of the classroom. One small thing we like to highlight -- we *love* that the school has all fourth and fifth grade students participate in the annual school play. Just that one tweak of making it a mandatory part of the experience is a wonderful touch and gives the kids the types of experiences we didn't have as kids in school.
What is something that has surprised you about MTS?
We knew MTS would be a terrific experience for our kids and our family. That said, we are still surprised on the upside almost every week, there are too many good surprises to list here, but if we had to pick one, it's that, from even a very young age, the culture amongst the teachers and staff is to help kids learn how to work through for themselves whatever problems arise -- it could be a tricky group project, or losing a water bottle or favorite toy/keepsake, you name something that can throw a little kid off for a second. The teachers and professional community don't parachute in, but rather help coach the kids to problem-solve together and learn this valuable skill.
What is something that you bring from your family culture to MTS and how?
As parents, we try to be as involved as we can. Sara has volunteered to help with many on-campus and off-campus events, or spending time in the library or on the hot lunch line, or helping support the PTA and so many other various initiatives. Sam joined the Board of Trustees for the school overall and participates on the Finance Committee. Being able to join the board and contribute in that way has been a great honor and something we are very proud of.
What is something you value about MTS?
The attention to detail. From the leadership of the Head of School and highest-level administrators, all the way to the assistants and general staff, there is a culture of attention to detail, forward-planning, and incredibly thoughtful and swift communications. This level of organization helps anchor our kids and our family to the rhythms of the school. This, in turn, gives our household a valuable structure, too. We value this, among many other things about MTS, greatly.
Anything else you’d like to share?
When we were evaluating MTS as prospective parents, many current parents shared nice, positive comments about the school. That is to be expected. I recall one parent gushing in a different way, that she immediately saw the joy in their kid when they came home, that they would be excited about some math lesson, or a science project, or a field trip. We may have initially dismissed that as trite before enrollment. Then, that first week our kids were official MTS students, they burst in through the front door yapping happily about what they did in class. I couldn't believe it. It was true and still is to this day.
Join us for an upcoming Admissions Event!
Experience Arts, Music, and Athletics at MTS
Saturday, November 9, 2024, 9:00-10:45 AM
Join three different class mini sessions taught by MTS faculty in studio arts, drama, music, and PE. Families rotate through mini class sessions highlighting the school's robust visuals arts, performing arts, and physical education programs.
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