Over the Garden Wall
Head of School Blog
Strengthening Bonds: How Building Deeper Relationships Fosters a True Sense of Belonging
November 12th, 2024
One thing we believe strongly at Prep is the importance of every student having at least one trusted adult on campus—someone they can turn to, confide in, and rely on. As we strive to reinforce relationships, our first Strategic Priority, we recognize that these connections aren’t just a nice extra—they’re foundational to our students’ well-being and achievement. Research supports what many of us know intuitively: students who have at least one trusted adult at school are more engaged, feel safer, and perform better academically.
3 minute readOn Living a Joyous and Purposeful Life
August 12th, 2024
Sandia Prep Head of School Heather B. Mock shares insights learned from two books she read over the summer and how she hopes their concepts might resonate with students.
3 minute readMake Choices that Work for You: Words to the Class of 2024
May 30th, 2024
Sandia Prep Head of School Heather B. Mock shares her thoughts for the Class of 2024 as they graduate and head out into the world.
6 minute readThe Rewards of Embracing Uncertainty
April 9th, 2024
Sandia Prep Head of School Heather B. Mock examines how embracing unpredictability can improve students' well-being and allow for deeper learning.
4 minute readEmpowering Students to Advocate for Themselves
February 12th, 2024
Sandia Prep Head of School Heather B. Mock discusses the book How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims and the importance of empowering students to solve problems for themselves.
5 minute readLessons Learned from My Dog
November 28th, 2023
The passing of Head of School Heather Mock's beloved dog shines a light on what we can learn from our canine friends and how they enrich our lives.
3 minute readThe Value of Unstructured Play
October 12th, 2023
Unstructured play time allows students to interact independently and learn how to manage their time and cooperation.
4 minute readCollective Joy
August 16th, 2023
Sandia Prep Head of School Heather B. Mock ponders the power of collective joy, illustrated by sharing a Taylor Swift concert over the summer with her daughter, Lily.
3 minute readParting Words for Our Seniors
June 6th, 2023
Dear Sandia Prep Community, Happy summer! I hope you are all enjoying June and will have some time to relax with family and friends. As you likely know by now, I’m a huge believer in the power of relationships and think that our connections with others is what makes our lives particularly meaning...5 minute readWhy Are We Here?
April 26th, 2023
Dear Sandia Prep Community, It’s hard to believe we are closing in on the end of the school year. This time of year is a whirlwind, and it also brings about opportunities for reflection: reflection on the year nearing completion, reflection on where we currently are, and reflection on where we’...5 minute read