It’s a typical morning at Tamalpais High School. Students of all ages mill around campus, waiting. The 8:30 bell will soon disrupt their peace. Unfinished homework stuffed into their school bags, bleary-eyed and sleep-deprived students crave caffeine as they make their way down Almonte from their parked cars. As they enter the back parking lot in swarms, a voice rings out through the fog-laden air.
“Morning,” campus staff assistant Ralph Wilson says, nodding slowly.
“Morning,” they respond. Solidarity hangs comfortably in the air. Despite the consistent flow of students pouring through the narrow gates, Wilson greets every group passing him from his golf cart.
Hungry students find themselves in line at the student center, waiting for free breakfasts consisting of lucky charms or a breakfast burrito. The dedicated cafeteria staff ensures the line moves smoothly.
“Hi sweetie,” Lilly Assefa says as students punch in their student ID numbers into the keypad. “Have a good morning.”
Breakfast in hand, the mass of students makes their way across campus to first-period classes. The ones entering Middle Keyser fight their way through the crowd blocking their path, coming across a figure standing halfway down the hall. With a cheery smile, Mr. Levinson ensures he greets everyone as they walk by, propping his door open for his students to filter in. Students whom he has yet to meet receive just as friendly a greeting.
“If I initiate that hello, they’ll brighten up and say hello back. They might share how their weekend was, and we can act like human beings,” Levinson said.
Levinson has worked in the English department at Tam for 18 years, and is recognized by students across campus due to his friendly demeanor and greetings. He enjoys getting to know students who aren’t in his classes through his hallway interactions.
“‘Hello’ is a good message to send,” Levinson said.
Those who walk through Wood Hall hear the strumming of a guitar from social studies teacher Jon Hartquist’s classroom. He smiles at those who peer in, sometimes humming a duet with fellow social studies teacher Aaron Pribble. The background noise makes the campus feel warm.
After class commences, silence fills the once-bustling campus, and a second, more scattered wave of incoming students begins. With folded notes hanging out of back pockets—some authentic, some not so much—students shuffle into the main office.
“Hey, you!” Head of attendance Catherine Clobucker chimes as she racks through names, trying to summon the right one, often misguessing once or twice. In previous years, the attendance office was located down the hall, often accompanied by a locked door.
“I think [being located in the main office] shows that I’m super available,” Clobucker said. “When school is in session, I’m here, my door is open. It’s more of a welcoming, open space for everyone.”
Polite small talk commences depending on the student’s rush as Clobucker pulls out pink slips of paper and begins to fill them out. Imani James and Jennifer Cosper occasionally chime in on the conversation.
“I find that [high school students] are so full of knowledge and have interesting things to say. They’re young, they’re full of energy, and have different perspectives on the world that are really valuable, I think, for older people to absorb and to be around,” Clobucker said.
Soon Clobucker holds out a pass, and, with a smile, sends each student off to class.
Dean of Student Success LeShawn Holcomb rushes into the office, looking busy, but always finding the time to offer high fives and fist bumps. Most are unaware that he worked at Tam long before becoming the dean of students as a guest artist for Tam’s Conservatory Theatre Ensemble, producing and directing shows with the company. He directed productions including “Straight Outta Grover’s Corners” and “Liberating of the Shrew,” which both made it onto the Caldwell stage, dazzling audiences. All the while he kept an eye on Tam’s website to monitor any full-time openings available, and once presented the opportunity, he applied for a position.
“I just wanted to make an impact on [Tam’s] campus, and the community,” Holcomb said. “I feel like I’ve been championed here by all the students: leadership, the drama department, the sports teams. I can show up as my best self every day and feel supported in my full self.”
School can be a place of strife, turnover, and stress, but also a place of growth, engagement, and inclusivity. From the main office to Upper Keyser, there are staff on campus making a difference through the little things, whether it be a morning greeting from Ralph, a wave from Mr. Levinson, or a high five from Mr. LeShawn.
At Tam, these faces, new and old, make our campus feel like home. For their effort, The Tam News thanks them.
