I began working at Waterford in January 2022, having previously been employed in the Park City School District. It was through the recommendation of a friend and former colleague, now a part of the Waterford community, that I became aware of the opening for the Lower School Counselor position. I was intrigued by the school’s wonderful reputation, but also felt slightly intimidated and nervous about applying. I was very comfortable in my current district and enjoyed working so close to home—my commute was only a few minutes long. The thought of driving to Sandy from Park City seemed complicated, and I was uncertain about the idea of working in a private school environment. Thankfully though, my curiosity prevailed—determined to learn more about the opportunity, I took the plunge and applied.
I am immensely grateful that I did, as the experience at Waterford School has been transformative in so many ways. What initially drew me to Waterford was the collaborative environment among faculty. Here, professional insights are not only valued but actively sought after and appreciated.
One of the most significant positive changes I’ve experienced is the strengthened partnerships with parents. The children and their families want to be here and work closely with faculty to ensure a positive learning experience. I swiftly discovered that the beliefs I had about independent schools were misconceptions. There is a sense of community here—all are welcomed and add to the diversity of campus life.
I was fortunate enough to be able to transfer my children to Waterford. This was a big undertaking, particularly as transferring older students can be complex. My son was able to finish his elementary school education here at Waterford and my daughter joined during her last year of middle school. Both of them are thriving and so happy to be here. Our commute is not an issue. It takes me about 35 minutes to drive to school, and we use this time in the car to listen to music, exchange stories and experiences, and sometimes my kids use the time to complete homework or to study. Many students and faculty members travel to Waterford from all across the Salt Lake Valley, Utah County, and Summit County. The geographic diversity is wonderful, and there is also a lot of cultural diversity in the community which contributes to the dynamic, interesting, and appealing campus life at Waterford.
In my role as a counselor, I work in welcoming students to our school and ensuring they feel supported. There are many systems in place to ensure a new student can easily transition into the school and feels supported academically, socially, and emotionally. It’s what I love most about Waterford. I encourage those interested in joining Waterford’s faculty and staff to reach out and learn more. This might just be the right place for you too.