“We challenge students to be their best while recognizing that struggle is part of growth,” reflects basketball coach Jayme Kiyomura-Chan, who has led the team to 11 league championships over the past 12 seasons. This philosophy—embracing every experience and relationship with curiosity and wonder—shapes classrooms, studios, and playing fields, where faculty and coaches don’t just teach; they inspire possibilities. 

"Once you understand what motivates students and what their stresses are in their lives, it's much easier to meet them where they're at," explains Kiyomura-Chan. "Kids are intuitive. If you're not genuine, they're going to know." This authentic connection allows faculty and coaches to build trust that extends beyond academics.  

Whether through a well-posed question, a thoughtful obstacle, or space for authentic expression, Flintridge Prep educators meet students where they are and guide them forward. 

Creating space for authentic expression  

Dance teacher and Spiritline coach Alisha Mullaly creates an environment where students feel free to express themselves authentically. Her choreography deliberately connects storytelling with movement, creating deeper engagement. "Connecting the story and emotion to the choreography gets students to buy in," she explains, "and dance full out in the room with their friends—they can say, ‘I know this story. I can relate to it.’  

“When they feel heard, listened to, and seen in the dance room, they can explore themselves creatively,” Mullaly continues. Her emphasis is on helping dancers develop a lifelong practice. “If you validate kids at this age, artistic exploration can become something they rely on for the rest of their lives as an outlet for their emotions,” she says.   

Challenging students to embrace difficulty  

Girls cross country coach and math teacher Jill Henry intentionally designs experiences that push students beyond their comfort zones while remaining achievable. "I create workouts that are going to push them, but I know they will get through," she says.  

Henry's legendary workouts even come with intimidating names such as: "the Shovel of Doom,” “the Horseshoe of Death,” and “Survival of the Fittest." The strategy behind this method is profound: "I frame it to the girls that you'll never remember the easy ones, but you'll always remember the hard runs, the ones that intimidated you at first. Those are the pride builders, the confidence builders."  

Guiding through questions, not answers  

English teacher Scott Myers resists the urge to provide ready-made solutions in the classroom. “I've learned to resist that," he reflects. "Instead, it's important to ask the right questions to help students find the path themselves."  

Myers emphasizes personal connection rather than academic distance. "Every work of literature is a mirror," Myers maintains. "I want students to get that literature is about them, and that there's a deeply human understanding we can get when we engage with a work of art that clarifies our values and shared humanity."

Empowering through student choice  

"One way to get to know students is to invite them to suggest repertoire," music teacher Reuben Allen shares. "When you introduce student choice, it creates a conversation and is a way to honor their interests."  

Allen also connects with students by creating opportunities for peer mentorship within mixed-level ensembles." I guide more experienced students to mentor younger or less experienced students,” he says. “They are activated by this acknowledgement of their skill.”  

Building resilience  

Throughout these methods runs a common thread: faculty who create experiences where students can take meaningful risks and grow. Allen embodies this in his music instruction. 

"Yes, you need to learn the craft, but I also think it's important to have fun,” he says. “I like to remind students that it’s okay to make mistakes. I want the focus to be on the process of growth."  

The impact of this supportive mentorship extends beyond graduation. When students leave Flintridge Prep, they carry with them not just knowledge, but confidence in their ability to navigate life's challenges. As Myers reflects, "Literature is about self-awareness. It's also about critical thinking. I want them to be able to articulate what matters to them and defend it."  

Henry sees this growth in her runners: "In cross country they develop a knowledge that they can do really hard things.” Some kids will never run competitively again, but they know, fundamentally, how to work hard and they trust that they can get through anything."  

In the hands of these dedicated educators, Flintridge Prep is more than a school—it is an incubator of possibility, where faculty serve as trusted guides helping students transform dreams into reality, one courageous step at a time.  

“Home Court” Documentary 

PBS's "Independent Lens" recently premiered "Home Court," following basketball standout Ashley Chea ’23, a second-generation Cambodian American student-athlete, as she navigates the complexities of college recruitment and recovery from a knee injury.  

The film showcases Coach Jayme Kiyomura-Chan's supportive presence throughout Ashley's development. "It meant a lot that I could be there for her and her parents," reflects Kiyomura-Chan, whose mentorship exemplifies the community connections fostered at Flintridge Prep. 

Filmmaker Erica Tanamachi hopes viewers "see themselves on screen and feel empathy, sadness, joy, and triumph—knowing they are not alone." 

Tanamachi led a special Community Block session, “Storytelling through the Documentary Lens,” for students interested in filmmaking. The film was also screened on campus as part of the Parents & Alumni Engagement Series and hosted by the Flintridge Prep Volunteer Network (PVN).