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Bush Board of Trustees: Meet Trustee, Judi Yates
Judi Yates joined the Board in the 2021-2022 school year and is currently serving as the Co-Chair of the Campus Design and Development Task Force Team. In the profile below, find out what makes her passionate about her work with Bush, what teacher inspires her, and much, much more.
The parent of Mizuki '24, Kainoa '30, and Liam '34, Judi is a vibrant member of the Bush community, and involved with the Lower School Service Club. She shares, “I am passionate about building and sustaining relationships within our community.”
The Bush School’s Board is made up of twenty-five volunteer Trustees that oversee governance of the school. The board is the guardian of the school’s mission. It is the board’s responsibility to ensure that the mission is relevant and vital to the community it serves and to monitor the success of the school in fulfilling its mission. The Board meets monthly during the school year.
This academic year we are continuing to highlight the newest members of the Board of Trustees. We have asked our new Trustees a series of questions to help the community get to know them a bit better.
Q&A
Name: Judi Yates (Parent of Mizuki '24, Kainoa '30, and Liam '34)
Why do you serve on The Bush School Board of Trustees?
“As a trustee, I am honored to contribute to the collaborative process of supporting the school’s mission and belief in the value of experiential learning. Serving on the Board allows me to be a part of the big-picture planning for current and future students.”
What are some of your goals as a member of the board?
“One of my primary goals as a member of the board is to help identify opportunities and support priorities for growth, especially as it relates to campus design and development.”
How has Bush changed your life or the life of your family?
“I view these past nine years at Bush as a partnership in parenting, and Bush’s SEL Curriculum has inspired us to be better parents and reinforce what the kids are learning in school. By interacting with a diverse body of families, teachers, and students, we are constantly being reminded of the, “it takes a village” mentality to help make a meaningful and positive impact on students’ lives while growing along with the Bush community.”
“I view these past nine years at Bush as a partnership in parenting, and Bush’s SEL Curriculum has inspired us to be better parents and reinforce what the kids are learning in school. By interacting with a diverse body of families, teachers, and students, we are constantly being reminded of the, “it takes a village” mentality to help make a meaningful and positive impact on students’ lives while growing along with the Bush community.”
What excites you about the future of Bush?
“I’m most excited about ongoing and future campus improvements and being a part of the team that will help nurture Bush’s sense of place for the next century!”
“I’m most excited about ongoing and future campus improvements and being a part of the team that will help nurture Bush’s sense of place for the next century!”
What are you most passionate about at Bush?
“I am passionate about building and sustaining relationships within our community. Whether it’s small moments that we experience passing through hallways during morning drop-off, helping plan larger community-building events, meeting prospective families through volunteering in the admissions process, or helping develop the Lower School Service Club, I'm always excited to discover new ways I can contribute in this capacity.”
“I am passionate about building and sustaining relationships within our community. Whether it’s small moments that we experience passing through hallways during morning drop-off, helping plan larger community-building events, meeting prospective families through volunteering in the admissions process, or helping develop the Lower School Service Club, I'm always excited to discover new ways I can contribute in this capacity.”
*The Lower School Service Club is a parent/guardian-led after-school initiative I helped develop in the fall of 2019. It provides opportunities to bring our students together in ways that would align with the school's mission to “spark in students a passion for contributing to their communities, and the club’s added mission of protecting the environment for future generations.
How would your kids describe you?
“My kids describe me as super-duper creative, kind, and always thinking about other people.”
“My kids describe me as super-duper creative, kind, and always thinking about other people.”
Current favorite show or series?
“Mysterious Benedict Society. Constance Contraire is my favorite character.”
Favorite spot on the Bush campus and why?
“Pre-pandemic, my favorite spot was the Lower School playground. It’s such a joy-filled space where kids are eager to show off their monkey bar skills to anyone watching, and one where I’ve forged friendships with parents across grades.”
“Pre-pandemic, my favorite spot was the Lower School playground. It’s such a joy-filled space where kids are eager to show off their monkey bar skills to anyone watching, and one where I’ve forged friendships with parents across grades.”
Is there a Bush faculty or staff member that has inspired you and why?
“Fellow creative and Lower School Art Teacher, Li-Ting Hung has been a great source of inspiration. I have had the opportunity to volunteer in her classroom on a few occasions. I admire how she encourages students to take artistic risks, explore new techniques and find joy in expressing themselves through art. A couple of my favorite quotes from her students include: “I love art because it makes me feel free” and “I like art because art inspires”. This further highlights Bush’s philosophy of self-expression, exploration and hands-on learning; these lessons apply to just about anything in life.”
“Fellow creative and Lower School Art Teacher, Li-Ting Hung has been a great source of inspiration. I have had the opportunity to volunteer in her classroom on a few occasions. I admire how she encourages students to take artistic risks, explore new techniques and find joy in expressing themselves through art. A couple of my favorite quotes from her students include: “I love art because it makes me feel free” and “I like art because art inspires”. This further highlights Bush’s philosophy of self-expression, exploration and hands-on learning; these lessons apply to just about anything in life.”
Favorite spot in Washington?
“I love going for long walks or bike rides along Lake Washington.”
Something people may not know about you?“I love going for long walks or bike rides along Lake Washington.”
“I am originally from St. Croix, USVI, and I grew up in Hawaii, but Seattle has been the place I’ve lived the longest.”
The Bush School is an independent, coeducational day school located in Seattle, WA enrolling 715 students in grades K–12. The mission of The Bush School is to spark in students of diverse backgrounds and talents a passion for learning, accomplishment, and contribution to their communities.
3400 East Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98112 (206) 322-7978
The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment, recruitment, admissions, or administration of any of its programs on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. In addition, The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment on the basis of age or marital status.