Sharing Personal Experiences to Make New Families Feel Welcome

An Interview with Parent Ambassador Begin Lanse

Interview by Josh Bellish, Advancement Coordinator

Begin Lanse, a parent of a current 1st grader, has been showing prospective families around the Beginning and Lower school as part of the Enrollment team’s parent ambassador program. I wanted to learn more about why Begin chose to volunteer her time in this very important role.

Josh: Begin, this is only your second year at the school. What made you decide to become a parent ambassador?

Begin: The reason I decided to become a parent ambassador is rooted in our love for meeting new people. We enjoy getting to know new families and sharing our own experiences. Since we’ve had such a positive experience here, I want to share that with others. I know that some families might feel unsure about whether this is the right school for them, and I want to let them know that, just like them, we didn’t know what to expect at first. But after being here, we’ve seen how much our daughter can benefit from this school, and I want to share that with prospective families.

Josh: What is your favorite part about being a parent ambassador?

Begin: What I love most is the opportunity to meet new people. It’s really rewarding to make them feel comfortable and welcome, and to show them that this could be a great experience for them. I also enjoy meeting families from different backgrounds and cultures, which is such a unique part of the experience.

I remember meeting a family during one of the new family events. They were applying for either kindergarten or preschool and after talking with them, they reached out to me later to say they wanted to have lunch or dinner. They shared how much our conversation had helped them realize that Catlin Gabel was the best choice for their family, and that made me feel so happy and fulfilled.

Josh: What advice would you have for a current parent volunteer who is considering becoming a parent ambassador but might worry that they don’t know enough or have the right skills?

Begin: Before I became a parent ambassador, I was worried too. This is only our second year here, and I didn’t want to misrepresent the school. But after going through the orientation, I realized that I didn’t have to know everything. What I share with prospective families is based on our own experiences. If they ask something I don’t know, I can always direct them to someone who can provide the answer. It’s mostly about sharing your personal experience. The reason we all stay here is because we’ve had a great experience, so there’s no need to feel scared about sharing that with others.