iLEAD Agua Dulce Staff Spotlight: Get to Know Ms. Elsa

Our staff members are the heart and soul of our community at iLEAD Agua Dulce, and we love to celebrate their dedication and passion. This week, we’re putting the spotlight on Elsa Williamson, also known as Ms. Elsa to her learners. Ms. Elsa brings over 15 years of experience with iLEAD and a deep commitment to our community. Get to know her a little better in our Q&A below!

Please tell us about your background and how you came to be at iLEAD Agua Dulce.

I’ve been with iLEAD for over 15 years in different capacities and at different sites. I came to iLEAD Agua Dulce because I was looking for a site-based school with a strong sense of community. My children have loved attending iLEAD Agua Dulce, and I’ve found my happy place teaching middle school and supporting high school.

What is your role at iLEAD Agua Dulce? What’s the best part about it? What’s the biggest challenge?

I am a facilitator of middle school English Language Arts as well as 8th grade Social Studies.

The best part about it is the community I’ve been a part of creating.

The biggest challenge is not having enough time to do everything I want to with my classes.

What do you LOVE about iLEAD Agua Dulce? What sets it apart from other schools?

iLEAD Agua Dulce is a beautiful balance between a small community and global opportunity. The best part of iLEAD Agua Dulce is that it gives learners the chance to think globally while acting locally. The school has a natural sense of working together to make things better for all stakeholders and the local community. There is something truly special about a school that empowers individual authenticity in order to strengthen the community.

Are you involved in other activities at iLEAD Agua Dulce?

I lead most of the middle school event planning with my team. We also support the high school in their activities.

I am the co-advisor for the High School National Honor Society and support their executive board on their journey to understand board governance.

I offer ELA workshops to support reading and writing fluency and comprehension.

I try to be highly involved in community engagement.

In your opinion, what makes a great leader?

A great leader is someone who leads by example.

A great leader is prepared to do all the jobs because no job is beneath them.

A great leader is someone who works to serve their organization with a deep sense of integrity.

A great leader works harder than everyone else.

Can you share a story about seeing learners using social-emotional learning in action?

One of my favorite opportunities at iLEAD Agua Dulce is Middle School Interns and leadership. These learners are at the core of community engagement. They help in all areas of school events. They build stages, support marketing, work in sales, co-coordinate events, and clean up afterward. It is a true joy to see my kids be such an integral part of the collective while developing relevant real world skills. These skills include social emotional learners that vital to our iLEAD learner outcomes.

What does a day in your school life look like?

8am- Arrive on campus by and head to my classroom to get situated. 8:05-8:45am- Hug my son and send him to the high school areas. Walk my daughter to her classroom ramp. Check emails. Support yard supervision and greet my learners. 8:45am-3:15pm Whirlwind of 8th grade advisory, 6-8 ELA rotations, 8th grade social studies, manage interns, facilitate leadership, meet with NHS, plan field trips and fundraisers, attend IEP meetings, and eat lunch! 3:15-3:30pm- Call learner names in the valet line for dismissal. 3:30-4:30pm- Attend meetings, lesson plan, respond to emails, tidy classroom and head home!

Please name three to five fun/interesting facts about you.

1. I read 3-5 books a week that have nothing to do with my profession. My kindle account has over 5,000 books on it.
2. I love to cook large complicated meals and bake lots of desserts from scratch. I love feeding my husband and my kids.
3. I have a skincare routine that I live by! I wear SPF 50 on my face every single day of the week!
4. I sit at my vanity and apply my makeup every single morning before work. Its a lengthy and beautiful process. Helps me get centered for my day!
5. I am a Slytherin. Like 100% a Slytherin. If you know, you know!

We’re so grateful to have Ms. Elsa as part of our iLEAD Agua Dulce family! Her dedication to our learners and our community makes a huge difference every single day.

 

About iLEAD Agua Dulce:

iLEAD Agua Dulce is a free public school offering TK-12th graders a unique, personalized education in picturesque Agua Dulce, CA. Founded in 2018, the school emphasizes leadership development, play-based and project-based learning, and social-emotional development. Its outdoor classroom, complete with farm animals, promotes empathy and responsibility. Learners benefit from technology, arts, and aerospace opportunities, developing collaborative skills and critical thinking. High schoolers take advantage of UC a-g approved coursework, Career & Technical Education (CTE), and the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme, preparing for success in college and career. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook and find us at www.ileadaguadulce.org.

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