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 Tamara’s 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-bandage, 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.