Alumni News

Spotlight: Former Kindergarten Teacher Patty Home
Patty Home, Nueva kindergarten teacher 1975–2001


Many Nuevans first memories of school began in Patty Home's kindergarten class. Beginning her nearly-three decade tenure shortly after Nueva moved into the Crocker Mansion, Patty witnessed the growth and development of both her students and the Hillsborough campus.

With the assistance of her granddaughter, Charlotte, daughter of alumnus Todd Parker '76, Patty recently reminisced about her time as a Nueva educator from 1975 to 2001.
 

This is a wonderful time of year to conjure up memories of kindergarten at Nueva. All holidays were special, and they gave us time and space to re-enact the events of their origins. Our students listened to the stories and learned the history, then built the necessary “set,” and enthusiastically volunteered for their parts.

Who wouldn't want to teach at Nueva for 25 years with this amount of freedom and creativity? Who would not revel in the brightness and beauty of these children who thrived in learning by doing? 

The students all played their parts in the Nutcracker, Post Office, and the self-selected themes of castles, Space Shuttle Challenger, movies, ocean, rainforest, gold rush, Olympics, and many, many more. The wonderful parents of Nueva were active participants in the classroom, and all lent their expertise to these themes.

I began my Nueva years just after its founding in the Crocker Mansion, and with my two children, Todd ’76 and Delynn ’79 Parker, attending the first and fourth grades. In my 25 years at Nueva, I watched it become a flourishing school with a full gym, an outstanding library, and a middle school. I loved our early years, the staff, and our meetings on bean bags with wine and cheese—such good memories!

I hope that my former kindergarten alumni have continued to learn and play. I was and am still very proud of them!

 

 


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Get a Peek at Campus Life and Hear from Students

If you haven't yet seen the video we shared with grandparents and special friends during our welcome program on Nov. 19, we invite you to get watch the video linked below to get a peek at campus life and student experiences and hear reflections on from students on their fall semesters.

Spotlight: Former Kindergarten Teacher Patty Home

Many Nuevans first memories of school began in Patty Home's kindergarten class. Beginning her nearly-three decade tenure shortly after Nueva moved into the Crocker Mansion, Patty witnessed the growth and development of both her students and the Hillsborough campus.

With the assistance of her granddaughter, Charlotte, daughter of alumnus Todd Parker '76, Patty recently reminisced about her time as a Nueva educator from 1975 to 2001.

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