FH Volunteer Spotlight- Shauna
By Deepika Gajaria
1. To start us off, can you share a little bit about you and your journey so far at Forest Hill?
My kiddo joined FH in 2024 for TK. Coming from a parent-participation preschool, I was already used to being quite hands-on in the classroom.
The FH PTA and the school itself offer so many amazing programs—opportunities that weren’t available to me growing up in NY. It’s easy to forget that school offerings change over time; for instance, it was amazing to learn we have a school garden, but shocking to discover that the entire Art program is no longer a district-wide requirement.
Our PTA entirely funds it. They also help the library secure more books, host community celebrations like the Fall Festival and Spring Party, and get supplies into classrooms so families don’t have to make hard choices. (Let’s be honest, no one wants to choose between Crayola and... well, literally any other crayon. Never again, Rose Art. Never again). Because the PTA pays for these events and programs, it creates numerous opportunities for us to volunteer and show up for our children.
I initially joined the PTA as a General Member, volunteering at various campus events and in the classroom. This year, I decided to step up to the Executive Board to handle Communications, drawing on my background in MarTech. It’s been an absolute joy to meet so many new people and to meaningfully contribute to our school community!
2. What first inspired you to dive into volunteering and take on so many amazing roles?
Volunteerism has always been close to my heart, dating back to my community in New York where I was a "Kiwanis kid" in high school and spent summers hosting art classes for neighborhood kids. I simply love being able to help others.
Whether you can give a lot of time or just a little, your presence matters—not just to your own kids, but to the children around you who look up to us for support. The kids love seeing adults involved, and they benefit so much from seeing the incredible diversity our community represents. Showing up, even briefly, provides stability and helps nurture our community. Admittedly, I sound a bit like a PBS Kids commercial here, but seriously—do it! Volunteer if you can, because it means the world to everyone who sees you there.
Finally, a big thank you to all of our volunteers this year and the countless ways you continue to show up for our school!
3. As the Communications VP, you’re the voice behind so much of what parents see. What is the most rewarding part of keeping our Forest Hill community connected and informed?
I think it’s just that; being someone who can help to answer questions or at least to get people the help/resources that they need. There’s a lot of information at the school; so many events and programs that it’s hard to keep track of so it’s nice to be able to assist others in getting answers.
4. Project Cornerstone is such a special program. What has been your favorite book to read to the students this year, and what kind of conversations did it spark?
This year, I had the wonderful opportunity to read to the TK/K classes, and two books truly stood out: All Are Welcome and Día de los Muertos. All Are Welcome beautifully touches upon inclusivity and the warm environment kids crave at the start of the year, especially as they navigate so much change. Día de los Muertos, a stunning bilingual book, offered a lovely way to discuss the holiday. The kids who celebrate it absolutely lit up—it was beautiful to see their excitement at finding themselves represented in a story.
Beyond the classroom, I also volunteer at the school library, where I get to see firsthand the books that capture the kids' interest. We cover so many amazing stories, and one of my personal favorites is Can Bears Ski?, a fantastic book about hearing loss and wearing hearing aids (something close to my heart, as I have hearing loss too!). Another favorite is Miss Maple’s Seeds, which explores seed growth and sends a wonderful message about nurturing nature.
Our library is such an invaluable resource. Growing up, I was a total "library kid"—both at school and in my community. A library is so much more than just a place for books; it’s a community hub and can truly feel like a second home. I highly encourage everyone to spend some time there, get involved, or consider donating resources to support this special space.
5. Working with our youngest students in TK and Kindergarten is so special. What is your favorite thing about that specific age group and how they see the world?
Admittedly, it’s my favorite age! I had wanted to be an Early Childhood Educator and even went back to school to get my license. It’s fun seeing them process things and work through their emotions. They have a lot of big feelings and sometimes they just need to know that someone is there for them while on campus. They are also pretty straightforward about their wants and needs so negotiations can be quite amusing.
6. Kids have absolutely zero filters at school. What is the funniest or thing a student (either your own or someone else's) has blurted out to you on campus?
My favourite unfiltered moment is by the PTA bulletin, which happens to be in the TK/K yard. A lot of the kids remember me but when I’m there, they will very loudly ask “Why are you here? What are you doing” to which my response is usually, “I have no idea, I’m just always here.”
A note from Shauna: Yes, it was very strange to post this. The book I was holding in my picture was "Out of Nowhere" by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros, which is great to read with younger kids!