Lover of iced coffee, sports, and sneakers, our staff spotlight is Director of Admissions, Mylesa Alexander! This school year was Mylesa’s first at Saklan, but she has been working in independent schools for many years in the Bay Area. If you don’t already know her, keep your eyes peeled at drop-off and pick-up times where she can often be found chatting with parents and petting all the well-loved Saklan family dogs! Read on to get to know her a bit better!
As you wrap up your first year at Saklan, what has surprised you most about the Saklan community?
As I wrap up my first year at Saklan, I’ve been most surprised and truly impressed by how much agency and leadership skills students are given, especially at the middle school level. Middle School is such a weird time in their lives, and being able to know exactly who they are makes way for stronger adults. They’re given opportunities like leading family groups or student councils. Our students are empowered to lead, make decisions, and truly have a voice! Something that’s rare but so impactful at this age. As a mom of a middle schooler myself, I’ve seen firsthand how the Saklan environment is pushing students to grow in every area with strong core values and understanding.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work or with your family?
My favorite thing outside of work is traveling with my son and sharing new experiences. We both thoroughly enjoy going to sporting events: 49ers, SJ Sharks, or SJ Earthquakes. My son is starting to share a love for concerts, so we’ve been going to more of those. We both love spending a magical day at Disneyland (I love the snacks the most!) or just playing soccer in the backyard. For me, it’s just enjoying the simple things and spending time together, laughing, joking, and being together. These moments bring us closer and create memories that we both cherish.
What are you most looking forward to next year?
Next year, I’m excited to kick off our admissions events with more in-person open houses! Getting our community more involved and OUT into the community more too, bringing more awareness to Saklan! I want to increase outreach with local partnerships in the area, working closely with Rob and his TAP program. Exploring the Lamorinda area and participating in events with The Town FC soccer games or the Art and Wine festival in Lafayette, I think, will be a great way to engage with the broader community. New admission seasons always excite me because I get to really expand and try new events that cater to each family’s needs. The possibilities are endless in admissions, and I’m excited to be able to grow our community.
