If you’ve never taken the time to do so, it’s worth glancing at the Ambleside timeline. It’s under the Education tab, entitled ‘Brief History’ on the school website. This year will be my second time serving as a board member. I visited this page in an effort to refresh my memory. What were we thinking about as a board way back in 2007? I chuckled as I read the following:
2007-Year two of instruction begins with 14 students in three classrooms.
2008-Ambleside moves to a larger facility on the campus of Fort King Presbyterian Church and opens in the fall with 20 students in three classes.
We were small but growing! The following year we would make the move to our current campus with 41 students, doubling in size!
I immediately flashed back to a somewhat stressful time. Big decisions were being made. Where could we meet to accommodate the growth? How would we get the space renovated in time to suit our needs? Could we afford it?
Behind the scenes, the board prayed, discussed at length, and worked to ultimately find solutions allowing us to press on. I have more than a few ‘God showed up’ stories.
While the challenges may change, the role and heart of the board doesn’t. It’s the ‘behind the scenes’ crew maintaining a framework for the school to operate- whether it’s policy updates, fundraising or a new space needed once again to accommodate growth. (Are you as excited as I am to see the High School?!).
The board makes it possible for the school to move forward while fulfilling its underlying mission:
To bring up students who master the art of relating well to God, self, others, ideas and creation will attain the fullness of life for which he/she was created.
I am excited to once again serve the Ambleside community in this way!