Griffin School is a place that elevates the lives of all who engage with it, from students to teachers to parents and to the community at large. As a firm believer in the transformative power of an exceptional learning environment, I have considered it an honor to serve on the board of Griffin School since 2017.

Griffin is the perfect intersection of art and academics, and is a great place to cultivate a student’s love of learning. As a board member since 2018 and a parent of a Griffin alum, I am delighted to help further the Griffin mission.

As one who has always had one foot in the STEM world and one in the world of arts and knowing that these worlds are not really a division, I was excited to find Griffin school when my daughter was looking for a high school to attend. In addition, I found that there was also an emphasis on developing the whole student and the practicing of responsibilities to your community. It has been an honor for me to serve on the Board of Directors since 2017.

Griffin school is a place where children are allowed to be themselves and yet has enough discipline and structure where each child can fulfill their potential. This is made possible by the amazing teachers, guides and support staff the school employs. Their love of the kids and the community around them makes Griffin unique and an exceptional place to learn. I am very proud to have one of my daughters graduate from Griffin and my second daughter will be a graduate also. I am honored to serve on the Griffin board to serve as a parents representative.

Griffin is so many things to so many people, but to me it's the place I know kids can grow into themselves, have a safe place to try things, and learn new things. I have been on the Board of Griffin for more than five years and have seen the school change and grow, but it has always been a place I am proud to be a part of.

Mom of two Griffin graduates and long-time Board Member who is committed to supporting such a vibrant and engaged high school community.

Our family is so lucky that our daughter is at Griffin. Despite its relatively small size, Griffin is rich with opportunities. This is a community where every student can participate and thrive in advanced academic courses, the arts, athletics, school governance, and so much more. Years ago, Griffin was recognized as Austin's "Best Place to Be Yourself in School." That description is still true, which is remarkable and a testament to the school.

Valerie has more than 15 years of experience as an educator. Currently she is an Education Policy and Planning doctoral student at the University of Texas at Austin. She is interested in studying education policies that impact equity in P-12 schools and more broadly, create social change. She earned a B.A. in Child Study and Language Development from Southwestern University and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Michigan State University. She lives with her husband and two daughters in north Austin.