Stories of Excellence Accelerated: The Campaign for Blake

Every Blake story is a story of connections — the people who see you, reach you, move you.

Every year, we invest in each other, sustain each other in failure, and share in each other’s successes. Excellence Accelerated is our campaign to invest in each other and in Blake on a whole new level and to realize all that we can become. We all move forward together.

Every one of us has our own unique Blake story — and plays a role in countless others. Let’s celebrate the stories that bind us together.

ANDRE HINDS ALUMNUS, CLASS OF 2012 Nick Rathmann was my homeroom teacher in sixth grade and helped me through the confusing middle school years. He was there to answer my questions or to keep me in line. He supported me and was in my corner up through graduation.

Without his guidance, I would not have grown into the man I am today.

NICK RATHMANN DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Steve Johnson served at Blake for 42 years and inspired many people. I was lucky to be one of them. Steve went out of his way to be a mentor to me, and I can never thank him enough. I aspire to be as impactful at Blake as Steve Johnson was and continues to be.

STEVE JOHNSON FORMER BLAKE FACULTY As a wise and genuine teacher and administrator, Jack Fecht unselfishly took on many projects while at Blake. In 1974, he embraced a brash young teacher beginning his career. I can never thank him enough for his mentorship, patience and understanding. Without Jack, not only would my Blake experience have been different, I would be far less the person I am today.

SARAH & MATT MITHUN PARENTS AND ALUMNUS, CLASS OF 1995 Christy Spencer is the kind of teacher who makes children excited to go to school each morning. She finds what is unique to each child by taking a genuine interest in them.

She never rushes them through their words, as she knows they have something valuable

CHRISTY SPENCER

to say. The expression of delight on our

LOWER SCHOOL TEACHER

children’s faces when they see Ms. Spencer

Patti Loftus has inspired and

is evidence of the relationship she has nurtured as a teacher and friend.

encouraged me to show up as my authentic self. She is a champion of playful yet complex ideas. She teaches me how to advocate for myself and for children, and she celebrates my personal interests.

PATTI LOFTUS LOWER SCHOOL TEACHER William Watkins was a Pre-K parent before becoming a colleague, allowing my relationship with him to span many years as friends and colleagues. William’s warmth, availability and incredible rapport with students reminds me that relationships are at the center of teaching and learning. One needs only to listen how children greet him to grasp their immense affection for him.

WILLIAM WATKINS LOWER SCHOOL TEACHER If kindness and caring could be packaged, I don’t believe you could put the immense kindness and caring Carey Moe exhibits within her small frame. On my worst day, she is my must-visit, email and call. Empathy, understanding and a compassionate ear is Carey every day. You cannot go into the Middle School without having your day brightened by Ms. Moe.

MADELINE WETHINGTON STUDENT, CLASS OF 2019 Coach Reid is someone who has not only pushed me to be a better hockey player but also helped me grow as a student and an individual. He is a passionate coach who cares about the wellbeing of his players and has his door open to anyone who wants to talk or say hello.

SHAWN REID GRADE DEAN AND HOCKEY COACH I admire CJ Eckhardt. She has jumped into the Blake community with contagious positivity. CJ’s lively spirit will connect well with prospective families as well as current families and students.

Whether as individuals or as a school, we can’t strive for excellence alone. We need others to challenge us, believe in us, applaud our daring failures, and encourage us to build CJ ECKHARDT

on our greatest successes.

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS

We are strongest together.

Erin Stuhlsatz has been an amazing resource during my first year working at Blake. She has helped me learn the Blake community and answers my random questions. She is very welcoming. Sitting in her geometry class energizes me.

As we celebrate the strength of our community, we ask you to consider contributing to Excellence Accelerated.

Our goal is for the entire Blake community to participate. Every gift, regardless of size, counts!

WE ALL MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER BY INVESTING IN OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES With your support, we will expand our financial assistance program to build the most dynamic community of learners and ensure every student can participate in all Blake has to offer — activities, trips, teams and special projects.

OUR FACULTY Investments in our faculty empower, challenge and support them in incubating new ideas and innovations. With your support, we will create new funds for faculty leaders to develop and implement promising new approaches and technologies in their classrooms.

OUR CAMPUS COMMUNITY Through this campaign, we will give our extraordinary community a place to honor all the ways we bring together students across grade levels, connect alumni across generations and bring new energy to the heart of our Hopkins campus.

To learn more about Excellence Accelerated visit www.blakeschool.org/excellence.

EXCELLENCE ACCELERATED

THE CAMPAIGN FOR BLAKE

110 BLAKE ROAD SOUTH | HOPKINS, MINNESOTA 55343 | T 952-988-3430 | WWW.BLAKESCHOOL.ORG