On Her Radar

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PRAIRIE VETERAN, IS READY TO LEAD PRAIRIE’S UPPER SCHOOL INTO ITS NEXT PHASE OF GROWTH AND PROSPERITY.

— By Brendan J. O’Brien

A leader need not have the loudest voice in the room, or in the Upper School Commons, to bring about impactful change. If Mari Grobschmidt was constructing a foundation upon which her tenure will be built, this mantra would bear significant weight.

“I think there is an opportunity to grow student leadership,” says Grobschmidt, a 21-year Prairie veteran who started as a 3rd Grade teacher in 2002. “In some ways leadership can be viewed in a really narrow way by students in terms of outgoingness. However, we have a lot of young people who are quiet servant leaders, and finding the avenues where they can make a difference is important. I don’t want kids who just fly under the radar. What is your niche? Where do you shine? How can you bring value to the school? I think we have more opportunity for all of that.”

If there is anyone who understands how expansive the scope can be when it comes to bringing value to a community, it’s Grobschmidt.

After 14 years in the Primary School, she was named Prairie’s Learning Specialist for 7th through 12th Grade in 2016. It was a big change, and a jump that required her to learn the operational ins and outs of not just one new division, but two. It meant more curriculum, more hours, more students and parents. It was a demanding gig to be sure, but it was also rewarding, and it didn’t take long for her to make an important realization in terms of her new clientele.

“[Upper School] really isn’t all that different,” she says. “Kids are still kids. In Primary School it’s love all the time. They wrap their arms around you. In Upper School it’s still love, they just show you in a different way. Even though some days you feel like they are fighting you on everything, they are still genuinely appreciative. And they like you. They don’t want you to know that, but they do. And I think that’s cool.”

True partnership: consider this mantra number two for Grobschmidt. Partnership not just between student and educator, but between students of all ages as well. In Grobschmidt’s opinion, there are an abundance of opportunities for students in different divisions to partner on various projects.

“I want faculty to know students even better,” she says. “But connection across divisions is another piece I really want to run with. There are more opportunities for Upper School students who are passionate to be linked to things that are happening in Primary and Middle School.”

When Grobschmidt talks about the future, as well as her tactical points of emphasis in year one (a smooth transition of leadership, getting J-Term off the ground), she does so not with fearless braggadocio, but in tones that are equal parts reserved, appreciative, eager. She is an excellent listener and observer, someone who understands what the Upper School is and has been, the lives it has impacted. Her goal is not to change something already working; however, what’s wrong with making something strong even stronger?

“I really value this division and I want to see it continue to grow,” she says. “There have always been great things happening in Upper School, but there is also great promise and great possibility.”

When asked about her Prairie influences, the people and ideas she has taken inspiration from, Grobschmidt references the cool-under-pressure-vibe of Maggie McDonough, Prairie’s Head of Upper School for the past two-plus years. She cites Susan Holum, Head of Primary School, and Kathy Boero, Head of Middle School, as colleagues she has always looked up to.

“I have immense respect for both Susan and Kathy as leaders and educators,” she says. “They put their students first, always.”

And no proper list of Prairie influences is complete without Pat Badger, but this is especially true for Grobschmidt, who not only counts Badger as a close friend, but has also served with her as a seminar leader for Prairie’s participation in the The National SEED Project.

“Pat Badger is...she’s Pat Badger,” says Grobschmidt. “Wise. Willing to help with anything. Everyone in the community knows her. She’s just the best.”

Summer is a time for reflection and for planning, but soon enough the Upper School students will return and all eyes will be on Mrs. Grobschmidt, a measured and accomplished leader confident in her ability to enhance the community she knows and loves.

“Did I always know I wanted to be in charge of Upper School? No. But did I know I wanted Upper School to continue thriving and going in a direction that is student-centered while helping grow teachers in a place that really values relationships? Yes.”

With an open mind and a keen understanding of what works, Grobschmidt is ready to embrace year one of leading the Upper School.

“I’m totally nervous and beyond excited and I think that’s a pretty healthy place to be.”

Learning about one of the greatest franchises in sports’ history while standing atop the Lambeau Field turf. Watching wildlife leap and run in a Namibia national park. Studying art in Madrid. Not bad when it comes to field trips.

These are just a few of the topics and trips that are a part of the Upper School’s new J-Term, or January Term. Created to expose students to a kaleidoscope of topics they otherwise might not explore, J-Term will become a part of every Upper School student’s experience starting in 2023-24. The hope is that the program will help spark new interests, tap into aptitudes students may not know they have, develop different skill sets, and broaden perspectives.

Additional areas of study in year one include foamsmithing, music production, science fiction writing, cooking, financial literacy, zoology, and national monuments, just to name a few.

You, our Prairie School alumni, are an inspiration to all of us. We would love to hear from you!

Please take a minute to fill us in on what is happening in your life so we can print it in the Class Notes section of our alumni publication. Items of interest include:

• A degree earned

• An honor received

• Your volunteer work

• A move to a new city

• A marriage (please include exact wedding date and the full name of your spouse)

• A new family member (please include child’s full name and date of birth)

• Other news about you or your life

Class notes are published as space permits. The editors of this magazine reserve the right to revise and rewrite items for content and length.

Update your address, phone number, email address, profession, family information and anything else you would like to share. To do so, email Brendan O’Brien, Director of Communication, at bobrien@prairieschool.com or use the Update Your Information form in the Alumni section of our website.

BENEFITTING THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Save the Date:

Friday, September 8th, 2023 www.PrairieSchool.com/Golf