A new face became a staple on stage during Gathering this year as Upper School English teacher Lenny Goldman took on a new role as Student Government Faculty Advisor. He can usually be found on stage to the left of the podium, ensuring Gathering runs smoothly.

Mr. Goldman has taught at Latin for three years. Starting this fall, he added student government to his responsibilities. Over the past two years, this faculty advisor position has been constantly changing ownership after the departure of former Dean of Community Learning Suzanne Callis, who had previously filled the role.

Since Ms. Callis’s departure, Director of Student Life Tim Cronister and Upper School Deans Amy Merrell and Bridget Hennessy picked up the responsibilities of student government advisors at different times. However, according to Upper School Director Nick Baer, due to their other responsibilities, they didn't have the bandwidth to dedicate the amount of time that student government required. Because of this, Mr. Baer and other senior administrators worked to create and fill a redesigned role to support student leadership.

“We have had a little bit of a student leadership vacuum over the last few years,” Mr. Baer said. “This senior class is a particularly great class with a lot of strong leaders, so formalizing that and giving them support with a person who is dedicated [to] supporting them is going to be really important in setting a new benchmark for what we expect when it comes to student leadership.”

Mr. Baer reopened the role of Student Government Faculty Advisor to teachers, and Mr. Goldman jumped at the opportunity to apply.

“Pretty quickly, I knew Latin was a place I wanted to be for a long time, and any opportunity to build and advance this community was exciting to me,” Mr. Goldman said. “When the opportunity popped up, I was like, ‘I probably haven't been here long enough to get involved,’ but figured I would reach out.”

Mr. Baer said after evaluating statements of intent, interviewing candidates, and ensuring that faculty’s schedules could accommodate the position as it requires teaching one fewer class, Mr. Goldman was offered the position.

“He's just the warmest, fuzziest guy, got a great sense of humor; he's super earnest and sincere,” Mr. Baer said. “In addition, you can see in his work with JSC as affinity group leader, he’s really a person a lot of students trust and go to for advice or counsel. Plus, he's super enthusiastic and had a lot of ideas about how to formalize and make student gov more transparent, consistent, and fun.”

Mr. Goldman is passionate about his work and the opportunity he has to amplify student voices to help build community and celebrate students.

“Oftentimes, [student voices are at the forefront] in class discussions,” Mr. Goldman said. “But the really special part of working at a school are those moments where we all come together. Whether we’re all screaming or cheering for a buzzer beater, giving a standing ovation at the end of a musical, or taking in an art show together, it's those communal times that I think are just so special.”

Mr. Goldman said that Latin is specifically well equipped to have success when it comes to gathering together as a school with the schedule having built-in community time, and it is a matter of maximizing how that time is used. He also ensures students are prepared and empowered to step into the spotlight.

“I perceive my role as very behind-the-scenes, doing the pre-work to make sure our student leaders are set up for success in the planning and preparation of community time and events,” he said.

Even with his behind-the-scenes role, student government executive board members credit the new level of efficiency and excitement during Gatherings in large part to Mr. Goldman’s leadership.

Senior Prefect Asher Schenk said, “[Mr. Goldman] brings increased organization, fresh ideas, and a great sense of understanding of how we can best impact and influence the community. He is able to communicate with the executive board so fluently and effectively, and that trickles down throughout student government.”

Mr. Goldman's leadership influence extends beyond student government members. Mr. Baer echoed Asher by emphasizing the success of student leadership this year, especially the executive board. Both credit Mr. Goldman’s ability to support and hold student leaders accountable for the improvement in community time and school events.

“It’s everything down to the slide deck,” Mr. Baer said. “Formalizing what students expect when they come to gatherings, whether it’s opportunities to speak, present, or perform at gatherings, has been made really clear.”

Mr. Goldman’s hard work and the well-oiled machine that student government has become continue to pay off as the student body engages in hours of community time, events, and grade-level bonding activities.

The profound impact Mr. Goldman has on student government does not go unnoticed.

“Mr. Goldman is in one word, kind. And in two words, intelligently kind,” Asher said. “I think his background as an English teacher plays a massive role in his empathy and ability to lead. He cohesively lays out ideas and is always pushing to get the best out of us.”