Conversations With Julie Galles

Dear Wesley Community -

As I drove down Honoapiilani Highway on the morning of August 10th, I wept. Familiar landmarks past which I had driven many, many times were gone. The tops of snapped power poles dangled awkwardly amidst the tangle of power lines. The blackened Maui earth still smoked amid shells of vehicles and utterly charred tree trunks. My body viscerally internalized the devastation and loss in a way that viewing it on a screen could not cause, but would subsequently resurrect. I could not return home unchanged.

I have a renewed appreciation for the people and places in my life, from colleagues to neighbors to coffee shops. Issues and conflicts fade into gratitude for family, friends, and communities like Wesley. Perspective is a powerful teacher and I, like many others, have become her willing student.

Therefore, as I begin my fourth and final year at Wesley, I look at the blessings and joy that Wesley has brought not only to me, but to so many students, families, faculty, and staff over the past quarter century. Anticipating our 25th Anniversary year, last spring the theme of Celebration arose and has remained front and center in my mind. As I remarked recently to the faculty and staff at our kickoff offsite event, there is so much to celebrate about Wesley. From the founding teachers and parents, to the miraculous and generous partnership with the church, Wesley history is both unique and hopeful.

Last year’s Joyful Moments theme carried all of us through amazing community gatherings, deep moments of learning inside and outside the classroom, and exciting work on our mission statement. All of that leads naturally to Celebration: of our students, our alumni, our beloved events, and our potential. Our 25th Anniversary Gala will bring past and present families and employees together to honor what has been built and to dream about what is to come. I’m excited!

I hope you will see evidence of plenty of things to celebrate over the past few months, from our graduates to our partnership with Monique Marshall to the colorful new benches and cubbies around campus. Thank you for your involvement in our special school, and I look forward to connecting and celebrating with you soon!

Julie Galles
Head of School