The Joy School Wrapped: Five Memorable Moments from 2025

BY LAURA SPAULDING, Staff Writer/ Educational Consultant

 

One of the best parts of school is getting two fresh starts each year. First, at the beginning of a new school year in August, and then again as we celebrate the new calendar year in January.

One of the best parts about The Joy School is its commitment to finding joy in complexity as we all strive to be and to grow good humans. The Joy School understands the value of fresh starts as often as necessary on one’s growth journey.

A fresh start at The Joy School does not entail a bunch of arbitrary resolutions, but rather it empowers opportunities for thoughtful and meaningful reflection. Resolutions often focus on failures and weaknesses, tempting us to aim for perfection instead of progress. Reflections, however, focus on gains and successes, empowering us to improve and become better versions of ourselves than we were last year. After all, even for the adults in the building, growth is always complicated, messy, and it takes longer than we want it to.

In the spirit of joyful reflection, here is a sampling of five of The Joy School’s most meaningful moments from 2025.

 

Number 1: Alumnus, Charlie McIntyre's speech at our 22^nd Annual Luncheon 

Many longstanding TJS traditions involve dress-up days and over the top celebrations. Among our favorites are Halloween, Talk Like a Pirate Day, and Fancy Day. But, our annual luncheon is always an especially joyful and meaningful event. This year, over 350 guests gathered at The River Oak’s Country Club to reflect on the forever impact TJS has had and continues to have on its students and families. The life-changing impact of TJS was palpable throughout the entire event as current parents and former students shared their stories. One particular moment captured the heart of everyone in the room as Charlie McIntyre, TJS Class of 2014, shared his story. By the time Charlie got to TJS as a 3^rd grader, he'd already given up on school. He believed his diagnoses of ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia were just a long-winded way of saying he was dumb. He credits TJS with teaching him “being different did not mean being less.” This sentiment became the foundation of everything he’s done since, including founding New Heights Coffee Roasters. His company’s official motto is, “Different is Always Better.” But even more than a company motto, Charlie says, “it’s a way of life. It’s about finding strength in what sets us apart and recognizing that innovation and success come from seeing the world differently.” 

View his full speech here.

Number 2: 4th grader, Ethan Hsiao's grand finale at the 2^nd annual TJS Talent Show

We love all our longstanding traditions, but we also welcome new traditions that help us empower students to reach their unique social and academic potential. This year at our 2^nd annual Talent Show we discovered a bunch of hidden potential both on and off stage. Fifty students went through the audition process, and 30 students were chosen to have their talents showcased. This included 6^th graders Madison and Harper who performed a fun high energy dance to a Taylor Swift song, and our youngest performer ever, Kindergartener Zahra on the piano. When Hudson asked if there was a way to share his visual art talents, he was given the task of designing the program. Our eighth graders who make up the House Leadership Council organized, hosted, and ran tech for the event. The grand finale was especially memorable when fourth grader Ethan Hsiao walked onto the stage with confidence and poise. No one was expecting what came next from this first year student who’d began the school year quiet, shy, and afraid to take risks. The talent show was a perfect opportunity for some of Ethan’s hidden strengths to be put on display for all to see. He became an instant sensation as his classmates and teachers cheered him on, watching in awe as he leapt over three 8^th graders, broke wooden boards, and showed off his impressive 1^st degree black belt skills. Ethan's display of strength, flexibility, and self-discipline not only allowed him to shine, but soon after several of his classmates signed up to take Taekwondo classes themselves. Perhaps many more hidden talents are on the way to being discovered thanks to this year’s talent show grand finale!

 

Number 3: 17 former TJS students joined in the Class of 2025 Senior Parade

Another new tradition this year was our Class of 2025 Senior Parade where we had the privilege of celebrating high school seniors who were TJS students at some point during their elementary or middle school years. Seventeen seniors showed up all decked out in their future college colors representing powerful stories of resilience and success! The excitement was palpable! Glowing with pride and affection, teachers hugged and high-fived the very students who once walked these halls and sat in their classrooms daily. Our current students lined the halls and cheered on the seniors as they were themselves inspired to think about the possibilities ahead of them regardless of diagnosis or challenge. Graduates reminisced, caught up on life, and discussed their future plans. Happy tears, hugs, and laughter filled the Moody Conference Center, where these same students used to eat lunch on rainy days, give class presentations, watch performances, or celebrate one another’s accomplishments. From The University of Texas to The Colorado School of Mines, and from STEM studies to degrees in the arts, the vast array of schools represented and degrees being pursued by our graduating alumni was exciting and impressive!

 

Number 4: Beloved teacher and friend, Lynn Negrin retired after her 25th year at TJS

After 25 years of incredible dedication to The Joy School, and a remarkable 35 years in education overall, Lynn Negrin set down her blending board and waltzed into retirement! It was a bittersweet moment when she packed up her classroom for the last time. In her 25 years at TJS, she was an extraordinary 2^nd and 3^rd grade teacher who spent her evenings, weekends, and summers bridging gaps for countless kids. Not only that, she was also a valued mentor and friend to her colleagues. Lynn was part of establishing many of our long-standing traditions and was known for being the heart and hands behind our annual Camp for All adventure each spring. She was truly an expert at finding the hidden potential in everyone she met, and especially her students. In honor of her retirement last spring, we invited her former students and parents to join us for a reception honoring the legacy she has left and the impact she has made in the lives of every student who has had the privilege of being in her class. Countless responded to the invitation with expressions of gratitude and dozens showed up in person to help celebrate her legacy!  If the students themselves were unable to attend, their parents showed up to express their love and gratitude for the difference she made. Some students came with their own children so they could be introduced to everyone’s favorite teacher. Many happy tears and favorite memories were shared as Ms. Negrin directed each former student to the pictures she still had hanging up of their time in her class. She not only remembered every student’s name, but their stories, strengths, and aspirations. Her lasting impact has touched the lives of many students and families. Her legacy lives on not only in the lives of the children she has taught, but in every classroom on campus.

 

Number 5: 8th grader, Anneliese Zucker, named the first TJS Student Relations Ambassador.

Finding hidden talents and unique potential in every one of our students is what our teachers do best. eighth grader, Anneliese Zucker, is a quietly passionate girl who used to fly under the radar. While she might not be the first to speak, she is articulate, curious, compassionate, observant, and always ready to jump in when any need presents itself. As a standout leader in our middle school, Anneliese needed a way to grow and develop her leadership skills beyond what we typically offer. So, we created a leadership role with her in mind. Andrea Dorr, our Reenrollment and Student Placement Coordinator, first noticed Anneliese’s hidden leadership talents during House events when she intuitively saw things that needed to be done and always managed to come up with a way to get them done without anyone asking. She naturally led, and others naturally followed her, even without a named leadership role. Since Ms. Dorr happened to need some help in her office, she invited her to a brainstorming session. Anneliese came up with a leadership position title and wrote out an official job description. After obtaining approval, she got to work immediately surveying peers, analyzing data, and planning events. She wears her official badge with pride at each event she helps plan, organize, and coordinate. She is trusted by her teachers and respected by her peers. Ms. Dorr said it best: “She is a doer! As the Student Relations Ambassador she gets to flex her servant leader skills as she continues to grow and shine in bigger and better ways.”

 

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This tiny list represents dozens of daily memorable and meaningful moments that happened at TJS in 2025! As we reflect on the continued growth of our school, we want to wish all our friends and families a very Happy New Year. And, we encourage everyone to join us in wrapping up 2025 in joyful reflection as we all strive to grow into better versions of ourselves.

For more information about The Joy School, visit our home page.