Natalie Tieng, the Upper School Division Coordinator, is an incredibly important person in keeping the Upper School running smoothly and organized yet is under-recognized for her contributions and support. Tieng runs the attendance, helps with the scheduling for the teachers which guarantees the day is trouble-free, manages the Upper School office, and is the first person that parents and students go to for help or to point them in the right direction.
Erin Ruane, the ninth-grade dean, says, “Tieng does everything at this school. I don’t think the Upper School Division could function without [her]. She is the go-to person.If you are having a bad day, she invites you to sit in her chair or just hang out. She is just a really good friend. Friend and colleague.”
But Ruane is not the only one in the professional community who greatly appreciates Tieng. Courtney Duke, the Upper School Assistant Head, talked about how Tieng is vital in the Upper School, saying, “What doesn’t she do? She’s amazing. She is our division coordinator and does so many different things, I am not going to do her justice.”
Her bonds with teachers aren’t the only connections she has at the School. In fact, she’s close with many students on campus. Tieng takes pride in being the first contact for students, feeling as though her role allows her to form closer connections with students on campus. She said, “On my first day of work, the first student I bonded really well with was Damaris Bouchelion. I met her when she was going into her 10th grade year, and she was really, really welcoming when I first started because I started in the middle of the school year. Every student has been super wonderful and friendly, but with Damaris, [she] was really nice from the get-go.”
Besides showing her commitment to the job by coming to school at 7:45 AM each morning, Tieng ensures that if any teachers need a substitute or help on a specific day, they get it with ease.
Tieng also provides work permits for students who are seeking summer jobs, does logistics for club and affinity events after-school hours, and organizes the homecoming dance for the Upper School every year. On top of all this, Tieng arranges all the payments and transportation for the School’s events, expanding her work off-campus.
Duke has experience working without Tieng and is super appreciative that the School has someone like Tieng helping out. Duke talks about how her role and Ricky Lapidus, the Upper School Head, were impacted. She says, “We didn’t have her my first year in this role for almost the whole year and it was significantly more challenging. Mr. Lapidus and I had to do all that stuff, and we don’t do it nearly as well as Ms.Tieng.”
When asked to describe Tieng in one word, Duke said, “selfless or unbelievably caring because she does so many little things to boost people’s days.”