Our Powerful Community: Anna Curtis P’36

Anna Curtis is Wheeler’s Director of Enrollment and parent of a Nest student.

Why is Wheeler the place that you’ve chosen to work?

Where do I begin? Wheeler is a place that sees people. It is a place where a student’s identity is celebrated, where a colleague’s passions are encouraged, and where an individual’s talents are explored. In every aspect, Wheeler community members are valued. Additionally, as a parent, I am beyond thrilled that my daughter will be encouraged to explore who she is, what she loves, and what she is curious about. I can’t wait to watch her grow in the Wheeler community.

Who is a fellow Wheeler community member that has had a meaningful impact on you?

This question is impossible. How do I choose just ONE person? Instead, I will choose a group. The Leadership Team has been unbelievably crucial to my growth as an administrator and my ability to join and feel comfortable in the Wheeler community easily. Although Covid has been an incredibly challenging experience, this team has helped me and each other work through the hard times, think through the difficult questions, and find joy in the darker moments.

What is one of your powers, and how do you use it in your work and in the wider world?

I consider myself to be a very empathetic person. I enjoy hearing the stories of others, trying to understand their point of view, and connecting with their experiences. Whether I’m working with colleagues or prospective families, I think I have the ability to make people feel comfortable, seen, heard, and appreciated.

What is one of your happiest Wheeler moments?

In my first year at Wheeler, walking into the GCA for the Multicultural Showcase blew my mind. I arrived about 15 minutes before the performances began, and there was hardly any standing room left. It wasn’t only that it was a packed house, but it was the fact that it was a packed house of nursery through 12th-grade students, families, faculty, and staff who were there to support the performers. The show itself was unbelievable. Seeing such heart and dedication poured out on stage as each performer shared a bit of their culture, I was brought to tears on multiple occasions, and I am not a crier.

What are you curious about?

I am fascinated by the evolution of an individual’s interests. I love watching young students discover new things, which may turn into lifelong passions and others that are the inspiration behind numerous questions. The greatest gift of my job is enrolling new students and watching them evolve into scientists and artists, athletes, and musicians. The list goes on and on, as do the possibilities. I am curious to see what each student discovers about themself and the world around them.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about yourself that we may not know?

I love making silly poems every now and then. I love singing and acting, and someday I will reveal my weird sound effects. I was a drama major, after all. 😉