We are thrilled that Nathan Meyer will be joining us as our director of general studies beginning July 1. In this Q&A, you'll get to know Nathan, his vision, his leadership style, and what “Hineini — Here I am” means to him.
1. What drew you to Smith Jewish Academy at this moment in your career? What felt immediately special about this community?
Although I am not a Smith alum, I grew up in the Twin Cities Jewish Community and coming to Smith feels like a homecoming. When I first saw the posting at Smith, I had an immediate good feeling about the job. My initial instinct was reaffirmed through the job application process, and the day I spent at Smith was filled with community and joy. Since gratefully accepting the job, many Smith staff and families have reached out to me to welcome me to the community. It is this warm sense of community, and commitment to students and families, that lets me know this was the right next step for me.
2. When you picture a Smith graduate 10-15 years from now, what do you hope defines them?
Whenever I think about a student with whom I am working, my first goal is that they will find success as determined by their own hopes and dreams. Each student is unique, and, as educators, we must meet the needs of each student. What does this look like in 10 to 15 years? It is a student who has the academic knowledge and life skills to meet the challenge in front of them. Whether that challenge is applying for college, a first job, or a promotion, conquering a life event, or being a good community member, my hope is that a Smith graduate will have every tool they need to be successful. And, beyond being successful, a Smith graduate will also be a good person.
3. How do you think about the role of a Jewish day school today, especially in shaping identity and belonging?
I am so grateful to have been raised in a Jewish family. I strongly believe that the person who I am today, my morals, ethics, and values, were shaped by my Jewish upbringing. I think that the role of a Jewish day school is to provide a similar experience for our students. Every family is different and holds different beliefs and understandings, yet a Jewish day school is a place where students can come together to explore their Judaism and grow into the adults that our world needs right now.
4. What should students, parents, and faculty expect from you as a leader? What will they see and feel in your day-to-day presence?
My goal as a leader is to be present and visible in the community. I want students, parents, and faculty to feel comfortable connecting with me with the knowledge that we are all on the same team, and we will be the most successful when we work together. I want to be accessible and available to all members of the community. This only happens when we build strong relationships (so please do not ever hesitate to reach out to me; I am here and excited to work with all members of our community).
In my day-to-day presence in the school, the Smith community can expect to see and feel warmth, joy, and commitment. I strongly believe that schools should be places where students, families, and faculty are excited to go everyday. I lead by example and will spend as much time as I can in the spaces where our students spend their day.
5. What are you most curious to learn as you step into this role? And how can the community help you get up to speed?
I have spent the majority of the last two decades working in public schools as a teacher and leader. While there will be crossover between my past experience and Smith, I know that working in a Jewish day school will be different from working in a public school. To this end, I am so excited to learn how the celebration of Jewish tradition, religion, and culture positively impact the learning at Smith. At the same time, I know that there are things I will need to learn about how Smith operates. My biggest ask is that the community is open and honest with me. If I make a mistake or there is something that I am missing, please reach out and start a conversation with me. I am excited to learn and grow in this role so that I can be the leader that Smith needs.
6. Tell us a little about yourself outside of school: What brings you joy, or what might surprise people about you?
I am very proudly a little (or maybe a
lot) nerdy. I love to read and am always in the middle of at least one good book. I also really enjoy the challenge of building a complex Lego set. My favorite set that I have built is a semi-working typewriter. I love to travel. My husband works for Delta, and I am spoiled by the flight benefits that we get. I once tagged along with him on a long weekend trip to Tokyo. Japan was beautiful, but I think I spent more time on an airplane than I did in the country. I definitely want to go back.
Family is incredibly important to me. My parents still live in the house in which I grew up, and I am at their house at least once a week for dinner. I have three nieces who live in Washington, D.C., and I try to visit them as often as I am able. My husband and I have two very energetic dogs. My favorite post-work activity is taking them for a long walk through our neighborhood.
7. A quick lightning round:
• Favorite Jewish holiday? Purim
• Go-to book or podcast? I love to read, so picking a favorite book is too hard. Lately I have been listening to the podcast Good Hang With Amy Poehler.
• Coffee or tea? Coffee, hands down.
8. What does “Hineini — Here I am” mean to you personally as you step into this role?
As I step into my new role at Smith, I take very seriously the trust that is placed in me. Every day parents will send their children to Smith and trust us to care for and educate them. That is a large responsibility that I do not take for granted. To me, Hineini means that I show up to meet that responsibility every day. To ensure that every student gets what they need to be successful. Hineini also means that I am here for families and faculty. We all have to work together to support the success of our students. And, Hineini means that I am here for the Jewish community. The future of our community is currently spending their days in our classrooms. I am here to support them and the community so that we all have a bright future.