After working at Ojai Valley School’s Lower Campus for the better part of three decades, dorm parent Tamara Scott took a year-long sabbatical, before ending back this year at OVS’ Upper Campus.
Ms. Scott, or as students endearingly refer to her, “Scotty,” worked at the Lower Campus as coordinator of the resident program, supervising dorm parents and organizing weekly activities. Not only was Scotty impeccable at her job, she also acted as second mother, providing students with comfort, assistance and snacks.
“She always wanted to have fun and she never wanted to be negative or boss around the kids,” said junior Jeffrey Lin, on Scotty’s work at the Lower Campus. “She planned trips, she helped to give voice to people who wouldn’t want to talk. She was more than a dorm parent, really, she was like our mother.”
Years of game nights and bonding with kids left Scotty with a lifelong love for Ojai Valley School, but when the opportunity came along for her to take a year off and experience something new, she couldn’t pass it up.
For one year Scotty worked on a farm in Hana, HI doing community service and working in a nursing home.
While she enjoyed her time away, she quickly jumped at the opportunity to reconnect with OVS when she caught wind of the need for a new dorm parent at the Upper Campus.
“I was very excited thinking about spending time with kids who had been at lower and getting to watch them grow up more,” said Scotty about why she came to Upper. “I want to make sure that everybody gets what they need, and I want to make sure that students have a home-like environment during the day.”
And that she did.
In just a few weeks from the opening of school, Scotty had decorated the entire girls’ dorm, made numerous improvements and made the lounge a cozy hang out for all students. Reaching far beyond her title as “dorm parent,” Scotty has taken time to not only remodel the looks of the dorm, but also the feeling.
“[Scotty] brings a positive attitude, she’s good with people, she’s doing a really great job,” said junior Cecile Wasmer. “She talks to us a lot, she makes a lot of jokes, so it’s very fun to be around her.”
Scotty’s job has brought much more than a new dorm parent. The dorm has a new life to it, things are running smoothly and students have found comfort in their time with Scotty.
Although the thought of working with high schoolers was originally daunting, Scotty has found a home at the Upper Campus. Working day by day to achieve her goal, she has created a wonderful environment and is helping the dorm to flourish.
“I just love seeing her and talking to her, and its just fun,” Cecile said. “She cooks stuff for us and she really has fun being here and it makes me happy to be here.”