Meet Lauren Rahlson, Assistant Principal
Life gets infinitely better for any student or educator with the right support and a dedicated commitment from leaders within a school community. This is absolutely the case for all of us at Invictus Academy of Richmond as we add a new assistant principal to our leadership team, Lauren Rahlson. Lauren has extensive experience working with students and she has honed her leadership skills in several different school settings including Leadership Public Schools-Richmond.
The integrity and dedication that our Invictus staff consistently embodies comes from our leaders maintaining discernment about who we work with in addition to sharing the core values that all are welcome here and 100% of our students will thrive in the college of their choice. We decided to take the time to interview Ms. Rahlson to help you get to know her better.
When you were in school, who was the person that helped or inspired you the most? Why?
I am very grateful that I had many great teachers during my K-12 experience. The teachers who stand out to me are the ones who held very high expectations for me and believed that I could meet those expectations. When I first became a teacher, I reflected a lot on the teachers that I had and tried to take parts of their practice to develop my own teaching identity. I remember what it felt like to be in a classroom where I felt safe, cared for and challenged, and that is exactly the feeling I wanted to create for any student that walked through my classroom door.
A teacher that inspired me the most to become a school leader was Professor Hoagland. She taught a class in my masters program called School Based Decision Making. She infused so much compassion and humanity into her course and led us through very complex, systems-level dilemmas that really energized me. Her mentorship has helped me navigate my career and also stand firm in my conviction that being in schools is what I love most and is where I always want to be.
What was it that inspired you to work in education?
From a very young age I loved school, but I wouldn’t say I had a particular passion to become a teacher until I was in college. In college I studied Psychology and had hopes of becoming a Forensic Psychologist. However, I found that most of my extracurricular interests leaned towards education. In college I led a group that taught dance to middle school students in Philadelphia and that’s where I really learned how much I loved working with students. During the summer before my senior year of college, I interned for a non-profit that advocated for juveniles involved in the criminal justice system. My experience working at this non-profit really gave me the final push to decide to apply to be a teacher.
After several years working as a teacher, I had a fantastic opportunity to lead the transition of the co-ed middle school I was working at to an all-girls STEAM academy. The process of leading and designing this new program helped me find my passion to work in school leadership. I decided to go back to get my masters and have been working in school leadership ever since.
How does working at Invictus match your personal or professional goals and values?
Invictus’s mission that 100% of our students will thrive in the colleges of their choice resonates very strongly with me and my core values. I firmly believe that education is the most powerful tool to ensure our students head out into the world with as many doors open as possible. All students deserve to graduate with many opportunities at their fingertips so that they can choose the path that is right for them to live the life of their dreams.
Community and belonging are also very important core values of mine. I love how many traditions Invictus has that brings our community together to enjoy each other and celebrate one another. The small school environment of Invictus allows for such strong relationships between students and staff. There is such a high level of trust and respect on campus that makes it safe to bring your true, authentic self to school everyday. As a member of the Invictus community, it is apparent that students and staff feel a strong sense of belonging at our school and I think that is so important to creating a safe learning environment.
What are you looking forward to the most with your work?
I am thrilled to be joining the Invictus family. When I first came to visit the school, I was so impressed with how strong the instruction is, how close-knit the community is and how happy the students are. It is exciting to be on a growing team where every member is so aligned to the same mission. There is such a strong culture at Invictus because staff believe in the school’s values and practices. It is so rare to find a school that lives out its mission in the way that Invictus does. I am really looking forward to immersing myself in the community and learning from the staff and students about what makes Invictus special. I’m excited to be part of a passionate and dedicated team that is navigating the exciting landmarks ahead as we build out the rest of our high school program.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I feel so lucky to live in the Bay Area and be surrounded by so much beauty. I try to spend as much time outside on the weekends as possible. I love exploring new areas, reading, dancing, and hiking with my husband and our cattle dog, Kenda.
Traveling is also a very big part of my life. I grew up in England and living in such close proximity to so many different countries made me fall in love with traveling at a young age. Any chance I get, I enjoy picking a new place on my bucket list and planning an adventure!
GET TO KNOW US
Everyone at Invictus is dedicated to serving you, the families in our Richmond community. The decision of where to send your student to school is incredibly important. If you would like to learn more about Invictus, please check out our blog to learn about our high quality teachers, the new AC and ventilation systems that helped us return to school safely, Invictus Clubs and more.
Prefer to speak with a real person? Feel free to call us anytime at 510.939.3377
It’s not too late to join us! Begin your student’s journey at Invictus. Enroll your 7th - 10th grader today.
Information available on grades 11 & 12 for interested families.
ABOUT INVICTUS
Invictus Academy of Richmond prepares 100% of students in grades 7-12 to thrive in the colleges of their choice, solve relevant problems, and communicate with confidence. Founded in 2018 with a dedication to uplifting students in the Richmond, CA community, Invictus earned recognition in 2020 for its students making some of the strongest academic growth in the country during the pandemic, as measured by NWEA MAP data in the BES Network. Start your student’s journey with our excellent teachers, systems of emotional and academic learning, peer tutoring, and parent partnership by visiting us at www.invictusofrichmond.org