Dana Quinn adheres to the philosophy to try everything she can—to never live with regrets that she didn’t do something.
After eight years at Ojai Valley School, doing everything from IT and computer science classes, to teaching AP Psychology, and predominantly working the front desk as Head of Upper Campus Craig Floyd’s assistant, Mrs. Quinn has chosen to move on to her next chapter.
As her kids are going into their final years at home she wants to spend more time with them. Molly is twelve and Lily is fifteen.
“I feel like I really just want to be there, a part of everything and whatever they need,” said Mrs. Quinn about her reasons for moving onward. “I just want to have an opportunity to do it.”
She began at OVS working for Mr. Floyd during the summer camps hosted at Upper Campus, after that first summer he knew he needed her on the staff. He pushed for her to be hired in any area just so she could be a part of OVS. After some time working in the admissions and other departments, she finally made it to the front desk.
Since she joined the community her influence has gone far and wide. She’s known for her kindness and positivity. In an interview, Mr. Floyd warmly described her motherly attitude both for her connection to students and her ability to be stern when it was necessary.
“Students are always coming in [to the office], whether they think they’re sick or just need someone to talk,” said Mr. Floyd. “You know, she’s there for them.”
Students resonated with these remarks in interviews about who Mrs. Quinn is and what she means to the community.
“She is the nice lady at the front desk who gives me Jolly Ranchers,” said sophomore Andrew Little. “She comes into my ceramics class quite often and comments on how good my work looks, which makes me feel better.”
Beyond her influence on students, Mrs. Quinn is an integral part of the inner workings of the office and administrative tasks. She handles all of the day-to-day front office work as well as assisting Mr. Floyd with head-of-campus roles.
“Her importance to my office is huge,” said Mr. Floyd. “It’s a big hole to fill when she leaves.”
As Mrs. Quinn moves on she plans to pursue her entrepreneurial side. In 2015 when she began at OVS, she began taking ceramics classes with her previous ceramics teacher Jody Cooper. In her eight years at the school, she has grown and developed her skills and is planning on selling her work from home.
“I’m going to try my hand at being a potter and selling my work on the side while also having the time to see my family,” said Mrs. Quinn.
Mrs. Quinn has been a massive part of the OVS community and has made a lasting impact on Mr. Floyd and other members of the school. She is the face of the front office and the gentle hand to help when students need it.
Senior Will Ponczak described it perfectly, “She’s just the person that’s always there for all the students here.”