
Thank you, Heidi – Part two of a series
On November 18, 2020, Heidi announced that after 25 years at Waverly, she will be retiring as Head of School on June 30, 2021. Waverly faculty and staff reflect on working with and knowing Heidi over the years.
- I just wanted to say thank you for everything that you have done for us. You have been such an amazing leader, and I have learned a lot working with you over the last two years. I will always remember your commitment, hard work, and positive attitude. I wish you the best in this new chapter of your life. Until we meet again, hopefully very soon. — Andrés Roblero Villalobos, Spanish
- I feel so grateful to have gotten the chance to meet Heidi. She is someone who emanates peace, kindness, and strength. She is a person who not only leads with her words, but how she lives life shows how she cared for each person that stepped into Waverly. She is a true inspiration. — Alexis Bolaños, receptionist
- Heidi is the best boss I’ve ever had. She is smart, reasonable, and witty. She is forgiving and trusting. She has done more for me by doing more for children and teenagers through this incredible little school we call home. Heidi likes to say that we are all Waverly, and while that is not untrue, she is Waverly. — Lisa Groening, English
- My relationship with Heidi has multiple layers. The first layer is that we were both new mothers, as our sons are the same age and began their Waverly career as tiny babies under a year old. They were both Waverly “lifers,” and graduated from Waverly the same year, 2008. The second layer is our love of all animals. We rescued dogs, kittens, birds, insects, and spiders together. Heidi allowed our class to have a bake sale to raise money to save one of our classroom pets! She also welcomed my giant dog to the All-School Meeting for his birthday celebration every year. He would go into the middle of the birthday circle and sit with her, gently lick her cheek, and lay his 20 lb. head on her lap as the children whispered Happy Birthday to him, so as not to scare him. Finally, Heidi is the epitome of strength, eloquence, and trustworthiness. Her support, respect, and honesty are unequaled. A chat alone with Heidi is always treasured. Even though her plate is always full, she always makes time to talk. I will remember Heidi fondly as a calm and focused leader, a playful singer and dancer at school functions, an amazing writer, a true nature and animal lover, and an extraordinary role model for all. Heidi touched so many lives throughout her time at Waverly, and I hope she knows how much she is adored and how many truly admire her. It will not be the same without her. — Marina Dahlen, preschool teacher
- I was a couple years in, working as the elementary school receptionist, when the movie The Devil Wears Prada was released. One day during the summer, Heidi walked by my desk and casually asked if I thought she was like the Meryl Streep character. I told her I hadn’t seen the movie yet (but I wanted to), and that after I saw it, I’d let her know. I bought myself a ticket and, a little reluctantly, sat through the movie, terrified that I’d have to report back an awful truth. I watched and kept waiting for a glimpse of familiarness in Miranda Priestly. It never came. Heidi is nothing like the Meryl Streep character in The Devil Wears Prada! Quite the opposite. Heidi has been a kind and caring boss (I’ll never forget a particularly stressful day I spent crying at the front desk, when Heidi cheered me up by bringing me chocolate – not a little piece, but a whole bar!). She possesses so much I admire – incomparable leadership skills, incredible patience and calm, the uncanny ability to switch from serious to silly with ease. It’s hard to envision Waverly without Heidi, but I am grateful to have worked with her. Congratulations, Heidi, and I will miss you! — Margaret Lopez, website manager