Jote Khalsa: Building a Vision Together

 

Jote Khalsa's connection to Headwaters spans nearly two decades and tells the story of two schools becoming one. Her younger child, Venus, initially joined Primary at Primavera in 2006. Three years later, in 2009, her older child, Laine, joined 6th grade at the Khabele School. When the two schools merged in 2011, Jote joined the staff as Operations Manager for the Primavera Campus.

For Jote and her family, the search for the right school came down to something essential. "Our family was looking for a school that would foster belonging for both of our children while providing a strong academic base," she explains. What stood out about both schools was how the learning environment is rooted in curiosity, encouraging students to lead their own learning, with guides who know them deeply. "This student-led approach, combined with a focus on understanding diverse perspectives, is exactly the environment we were looking for to support the growth of children."

The decision to join the staff came at a pivotal moment. "The common goals of the newly merged schools were ambitious and unlike any program I had seen in Austin," Jote says. "I wanted to use my skillset to help to realize these ideas for my own children's education and the broader Austin community."

Being both a parent and staff member has shaped how Jote sees the world. "The school's support of lifelong learning for all community members, not just the students, encourages me to stay curious about the world around me and to learn new things even when they might be intimidating." It's a philosophy that extends beyond the classroom and into every corner of the Headwaters community.

When prospective families ask Jote what makes Headwaters special, her answer cuts to the heart of the school's mission. "Headwaters students are truly known...by their fellow students as well as their Guides. They aren't just names on a roster; they're known by their stories and their strengths, their interests in the classroom and out in the wider world...as learners, but also as humans."

She continues, "Our Peace Education curriculum in the Montessori Program, and the school-wide PACT framework, encourage students to be Peacemakers, Advocates, Creators, and Thinkers, shaping how they interact with each other and the world."

Outside of her work at Headwaters, Jote most enjoys being behind the lens as a photographer. But in many ways, her role as Assistant Director of Admissions allows her to capture something just as important: the stories of families finding their place in a community that sees and honors every student for who they are.