Welcoming Students with High Fives
By Esther Clark, Director of External Relations, Academia Cotopaxi, Quito
Photos by Gabriel Cadenas
Sometimes it’s the small things that make a big difference. A smile, a hug, a gesture of gratitude… On Monday, administration, parents, faculty and staff at Academia Cotopaxi created a “high five” line to receive students as they arrived for their first day of school. As the campus filled with students, so did a wave of emotions as our learning community began their very first day of classes: excitement, anxiety, happiness, and nostalgia for days gone by.
Monday’s “high five” line was something unplanned. Usually the small things are. We don’t plan to smile or wave at a friend passing by; it just happens. But the environment has to be “right” for small gestures like this. As Academia Cotopaxi continuously evolves as a learning community, we embrace a culture of collaboration and excellence and it is within this environment that the small things – such as welcoming students with high fives – make a big difference!