Based in Sydney, Australia, Foundry is a blog by Rebecca Thao. Her posts explore modern architecture through photos and quotes by influential architects, engineers, and artists.

Thank you, Andrea LaPira

Thank you, Andrea LaPira

To the Editor,

Andrea LaPira has been acting principal of SHHS since January. Photo: Kate Plows

Andrea LaPira has been acting principal of SHHS since January. Photo: Kate Plows

Before we ever imagined we’d leave school midyear due to the global pandemic, the Strath Haven High School staff was tired after a string of difficult months. As educators do, we carried on, giving our best to our kids. When we found out that our principal would be leaving in January, we were happy for the opportunity for his family and career in a role that he was made for. We shared our heartfelt congratulations, but the uncertainty of another change increased our unease.

Andrea LaPira has been one of the quiet fixtures of Strath Haven for many years. Before becoming interim principal, Andrea worked as our assistant principal, integral to the smooth functioning of our school through her work with scheduling, special education programming, AP testing, and many other “quiet jobs” that are done in the background and turn the gears for our community. Andrea has always been respected as smart, reliable, and competent; however, she has not usually been “the face” of the school, as she has worked more often (and invaluably) behind the scenes.

At the first faculty meeting Andrea led, the staff was anxious to see what this change would mean for our school. After numerous changes and difficulties during the past few years, we needed a leader whose work would tell us, “We’ve got this under control. We hear you, and we’re going to face whatever comes next together.” Andrea’s presence was calm and reassuring.

With the support of our administrative team, Andrea epitomized adaptability. Roles, tasks, and responsibilities shuffled, but we as a staff felt supported and respected as we faced our day-to-day challenges.  

After an already difficult fall semester, the pandemic spread, and with little notice, our schools were closed for the remainder of the school year, calling for clearer leadership in facing this unprecedented challenge.

Many of us worked in committees with Andrea to pull off the impossible: a graduation ceremony with an in-person component with myriad contingency plans. Her problem-solving helped us give our graduates the best send-off we could organize. Andrea’s approach, which many of us didn’t always get to see first-hand, was to find a way to make things happen, even when working against the odds. Her best moments were those that many were never able to see: faced with obstacle after obstacle, she worked tirelessly to clear them away.  

Andrea, we thank you for your steady hand during uncertain times. For your leadership, for your example, and for instilling confidence in us as professionals at a time when all of our jobs, roles, and expectations were upended without warning. We thank you for working without stopping, with no desire to be in the spotlight.  As we move into new uncertainties of next year, we thank you for keeping us afloat and together, feeling supported and heard.  

Thank you for your care and support and for giving endlessly of yourself to our Strath Haven family this year. Truly, we couldn’t have done it without you.

Strath Haven High School Faculty and Staff

The kindness of neighbors

Denying reality kills people

Denying reality kills people