Thirty seven years ago, as The New School started its first day, Tamara brought her daughter, Kira, to The New School. That started a relationship which lasted for the rest of her life and for the length of this school’s existence.

As that first year
progressed she remained a supportive and caring member even
helping in difficult conversations when we had to tell a second
teacher we would not be able to rehire her for the following year.
That support never waivered and in 2002 when Tamara took
over running the business end of the school she had absorbed
the culture and processes of The New School. She had seen and
knew much of the school’s philosophy and processes and could
quite seamlessly find ways to work with them as a team. She
always recognized that the teachers set the teaching methods,
worked cooperatively with each other to train new staff. She
appreciated that teachers evaluated and changed their
processes, as a team, as each year and subject was designed
and built. Tamara and the teachers developed methods to
collaborate on the calendar that reflected the complicated and
myriad events that supported a program that builds learning,
relationship, cooperation and creativity.

Her sensitivity to her role and the role of the teachers has been
extraordinary. It complemented and strengthened the school as a
learning place for both teachers and students.
As one might expect, her attention to the needs of children also
made her office a safe place where children could come for minor
first aid-the bandaid, ice, a moment of talk and comfort.
Sometimes the ability to balance that was tested, but it was an
important part of her day and role.

Over the years, she balanced the relationships with New York
State, 7 school districts, other alternative schools, possible new
families, incoming families, old timers, teachers, children, student
workers, student teachers, Percy-our regular maintenance
person, the Temple, the bookkeeper and the Board of the school,
giving each her attention, time and thought. Her ability to juggle
all of this with grace will be truly missed.