trevordayschool

I now see how slow and steady wins the race. I've seen many people become successful, but academia is especially challenging. You're always competing. You must publish or perish. Get more funding for research. But I have now put my foot down and decided I'm not going to sacrifice the time that I have with my kids for my career. I can never get that time with my children back. Prior to them, I probably would have worked 24/7, but now my phone is muted as soon as I get to my house. That garage door opens and it's all about my children and my family. I've learned so much from them about the value of time. How to laugh; how to be imaginative; how to dream. I think as adults, we sometimes stop dreaming because goals feel so out of reach, but my children inspire me to dream—and dream big. I owe so much to them. I've learned through them as a parent, and they've sparked so many ideas for me. How I ask questions; how I go about answering those questions; and who's involved in answering those questions with me. Mason: What were some of the differences between your Day School experiences and your previous school experiences? Natalie: It was night and day. The whole high school was only 120 students, I think. I previously went to school in the South Bronx with much larger classes. I think the TDS graduating class was one classroom in my previous school. At TDS, I remember being able to have language arts or reading outside in Central Park with Mr. Kreeger. It opened my eyes to see how another world lives, to be able to celebrate not just Christmas but Hanukkah, too, and learn about different religions. I think we had almost every religion represented in our class at the time. Unique perspectives. I got an opportunity to play different sports. I played volleyball. I participated in Choreolab and it was one of my favorite experiences. You didn't have to be a great dancer. Laurie Roth let everyone do choreography. Once, Gregory Hines came to the school and gave a guest dance presentation. That was amazing! It opened my eyes to being creative, hearing music, and thinking about movement in different ways. I think I wrote that for my college essays, too. And just that preparation, that rigorous curriculum, and feeling challenged every day. It was very different from my prior education. Having A Better Chance help me attend Trevor Day School has made all the difference in my life. Mason: Do you have a favorite memory of your time at TDS? Natalie: When I think about my time at Trevor, I think about laughter. I met my best friend Stacey Alicia '96 at Trevor. She also has her PhD, was from the Bronx, and is also Puerto Rican. I was really attached to Ms. Jarcho. We were like two peas in a pod. You know, they called us café con leche and salt and pepper because I was the tan-skinned one. I think a lot about those times in The Center. Mason: What are your passions outside of work? Varsity Volleyball, 1996 50 / TREVOR MAGAZINE WINTER 2023–24

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