Viewpoint’s Seventh Grade students traded the classroom for the coast this week as they traveled to Howland’s Landing on Catalina Island for their annual outdoor education retreat.

Set along Catalina’s secluded coastline, the three-day experience gives students an opportunity to explore the island’s unique environment while building connections with classmates and teachers early in the school year. Through the Catalina Environmental Leadership Program (CELP), a partnership of Catalina Island Camps and Ocean Futures, students engage with the island’s ecology and marine sciences through hands-on outdoor learning.

Throughout the retreat, Seventh Grade students take part in activities including kayaking along the shoreline, hiking the island’s scenic trails, and rock climbing. Beyond introducing students to Catalina’s natural environment, each experience encourages teamwork, cooperation, problem-solving, and a shared sense of adventure.

The trip also creates space for students to strengthen existing friendships and form new ones. Away from their usual routines on campus, students share new experiences with classmates and teachers, helping build the relationships and sense of community that will carry with them throughout Middle School.

“Our Seventh Grade students kicked off their retreat with a scenic Catalina Express boat ride to Howland’s Landing. The excitement was evident from the moment we docked as students enjoyed lunch, settled into their cabins, and spent the afternoon kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking,” said Patrick Marquez, Middle School Dean. “We hope they return home with incredible stories to share, along with meaningful memories and connections that stay with them long after the retreat is over.”

With a combination of environmental education, outdoor exploration, and time spent together, the Catalina retreat offers Seventh Graders an opportunity to learn in a different setting while creating memories with their classmates along the way.

Rebecca Elliott brings nearly two decades of experience as a coach, educator and athletics program leader to her new role as Viewpoint’s Assistant Director of Athletics for Grades 4-8. Most recently, she served as Head Field Hockey Coach and Physical Education Teacher at St. John’s School in Houston, where she led a field hockey program for more than 100 student-athletes and guided her varsity teams to back-to-back conference championships and national rankings.

As she begins this newly created leadership role at Viewpoint, we recently sat down with Elliott to learn more about what drew her to Viewpoint School, what she hopes to accomplish in her first year and why she believes athletics can play such an important role in helping students grow.

Katerina: What drew you to Viewpoint and the new Assistant Director of Athletics for Grades 4-8 role?

Rebecca: After teaching and coaching for roughly two decades, I was ready to take my experience into a leadership role. This beautiful school in the canyon, back in my home state of California, seemed like the perfect place for me. My values are right in line with those of Viewpoint’s “Love, Honor, Excellence, Imagination and Optimism,” making for a perfect professional relationship.

Katerina: What are you most excited to develop or accomplish during your first year at Viewpoint?

Rebecca: I am excited to cultivate and grow relationships across divisions, with students and parents, around all things athletics at the Lower and Middle School levels. I am looking forward to learning more about athletics at Viewpoint and finding ways to bring what I’ve learned through my experiences to continue developing and progressing the vision of the Athletic Department.

Katerina: What do you believe makes an athletics experience meaningful and positive for younger student-athletes?

Rebecca: I believe that when student-athletes are challenged and inspired by their peers, teammates and coaches, the impossible seems achievable. I also believe that when they are having fun, the tireless hours they are putting in don’t seem so long. Instead, they are ready for more.

I am definitely a believer in the journey, not the end result, and in helping student-athletes have the best adventure possible along the way through sports.

Katerina: What values or life skills do you hope students develop through participating in athletics?

Rebecca: I always hope that student-athletes learn what it means to be part of a team: finding something more than self and helping make others successful. I love to see student-athletes set individual and team goals and watch them achieve and exceed those goals with the help of teammates and amazing coaches.

I always like to see student-athletes face and overcome adversity, whether it’s a skill they never thought they could master or a game against a tough opponent they didn’t believe they could beat. I love seeing when they realize that success and failure are not defined by a dictionary definition, but through tangible experiences they have overcome or achieved, either as individuals or as a team.

Athletics and being part of a team help you see life and things through a different lens, and I have always loved that.

Katerina: What has stood out to you most about the Viewpoint community since starting?

Rebecca: The warm and welcoming atmosphere is evident the moment you step on campus. I have yet to come across someone who isn’t willing to answer a question, help you find your way or just lend an ear to listen. It feels like people really want you to not only succeed here but continue to grow in your craft.

LOVE was in the air at Viewpoint’s Twelfth Annual Convocation where the President and Head of School Mark McKee officially opened the 65th academic year, surrounded by the entire student body, faculty, and staff.

Among the most memorable moments was the senior class forming a tunnel for Kindergarten students to walk through as they entered the Paul Family Athletic Center (PFAC). This beloved tradition reflects the unity of Viewpoint’s student body and underscores the role of older students as mentors and leaders for the youngest members of the community.

McKee welcomed the seniors in the Class of 2027, the Kindergarten Class of 2039, and 172 new students. He reflected on the meaning of love, drawing inspiration from Viewpoint’s founders.

“This year we are lifting up our core value of Love and reflecting on what it means and on how we can put into practice to make our community and our world a better place,” said McKee. “Viewpoint’s founding Latin motto, Fide et Amore, means ‘by faith and love,’ and the founders of this school understood that the best learning happens in a connected community, united by love and by faith, giving us optimism and belief in the future.”

McKee also delivered a heartwarming tribute to Head of Primary School Cathy Adelman who joined Viewpoint fifty years ago as an assistant Kindergarten teacher.

“It is so rare to work with a leader who has devoted an entire career to educating children in one school,” said McKee. “Generations of students, teachers, and parents have benefited from her wisdom, her knowledge, and her gentle and firm commitment to all of us being kind and caring.”

Next, Student Council Executive Board President Samson Harrington ’27 set the tone with remarks on this year’s theme of Love, before Associate Head of School Anneke Emerson invited student representatives from every division to share their own perspectives. Second Grade students Ava Taylor and Jude Klemack; Fifth Grade students Golden Lewis and Braden Sevell; Eighth Grade students Ruby Wagner and Prince Pierce; and seniors Jamey Tsugawa and Parker Forte reflected on the many ways Love is lived and experienced across campus.

Five Viewpoint employees were honored with annual endowed awards recognizing their dedication to the school community. This year’s Spirit of Viewpoint Award was presented to Jennifer Townes, who has given 23 years of service to the school, and is considered a guiding light and invaluable source of institutional knowledge. Her colleagues describe Jennifer as a ray of sunshine, loyal, and steadfast in her work directing the Viewpoint Fund.

Two Excellence in Teaching Awards also were presented. The first went to Primary School Music Teacher, Hannah Lande, recognized for bringing joy and fun to her music classes, and building every young child’s confidence on stage through her thoughtful, innovative teaching and performance choices. The second award honored beloved Lower School Math Teacher, Daynin Blake who is known for bringing heart, dedication, and intention to his work every day.deeply student-focused teacher who has a wonderful ability to make Fifth Grade students genuinely love math.

The Handley Chair of American Studies was awarded to teacher Tom Moore for promoting intellectual inquiry and love of learning in the history, literature, and culture of the United States. It honors Joseph and Elizabeth Handley, who wanted students to share their love of our nation’s values and traditions. From his departmental work with both literature and creative writing, to his intensive work to make all students feel safer and more at home on campus, Tom’s efforts embody the deeply held values of Viewpoint.

Dr. Kristin Herkstroeter was presented with the William Turner Levy Chair for Inspired Teaching award, for consistently creating classroom experiences that inspire intellectual curiosity and love of learning. The award honors Dr. Levy, Viewpoint teacher and Provost from 1978 to 2008. Applauded for her unwavering commitment to teaching and promoting music at Viewpoint, Kristin has built an impressive program that brings in gold medals in music competitions year after year. Her students, across every division, grow and develop from novice to accomplished musicians playing in chamber groups and full orchestras.

The Convocation showcased the talents of the Upper School Concert Choir, under the direction of Middle and Upper School Choral Teacher Carrie Dietsch, with Collaborative Pianist Kyle deTarnowsky. The choir opened with the National Anthem, followed by an uplifting performance of “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” arranged by Jack Funk. They closed the program with a heartfelt rendition of the school’s alma mater, leaving the audience with a strong sense of unity and inspiration.

As the school year begins, the spirit of love will continue to guide students, teachers, and staff, driving them to achieve new heights and make a positive impact on their community and the world.

This summer, Stephen Chan returned to the Klingenstein Summer Institute for Early Career Teachers (KSI), continuing his 15-year tenure as a Lead Teacher for the History Group.

Held June 19-July 1 at The Chauncey Center in Princeton, New Jersey, KSI is a highly selective, fully funded fellowship that provides early-career educators with an intensive, graduate-level professional learning experience. This year’s institute brought together 67 teachers from independent schools around the world.

As one of 13 lead teachers representing different academic disciplines, Stephen guided participants in the history group while also helping coordinate belonging groups, activities, and plenary sessions. Throughout the two-week institute, participants explored topics including teaching philosophy, cognitive science, and artificial intelligence.

For Stephen, one of the most meaningful parts of the experience occurred during the participant-led morning meetings.

“They often play camp games that motivate everyone for the long day ahead,” he said. “The excitement, enthusiasm, and joy of these teachers remind me of why I chose to work in education.”

Beyond the daily sessions and activities, Stephen is continually inspired by the sense of purpose early-career teachers bring to the institute. 

“So many of the participants come to KSI because they want to be the best teachers they can be,” he said. “They often remember great teachers they had when they were in school and want to recreate those same kinds of experiences for their own students.”

The institute gives participants an opportunity to translate that inspiration into their teaching practice while building relationships with educators from independent schools around the world. KSI’s connection to Viewpoint extends beyond Stephen, as Viewpoint teachers Cynthia Ambriz, Josh Wilkinson, and Anay Katyal have also participated in the institute.

After spending 17 years as a full-time teacher before becoming a school administrator, Stephen values the opportunity to reconnect with classroom educators from more than 60 independent schools each summer.

“It’s the best way to end a school year,” he said, “and it inspires me to start the new one.”