“The last six years of my personal life have been full of lots of different losses and changes,” said Ms. Millard. She has had to become accustomed to inconsistency during her seven-year tenure at Westridge. However, Ms. Millard’s presence on campus has been anything but. 

Ms. Millard has been a constant and grounding figure in Westridge’s student support. Initially drawn to Westridge’s “progressive and joyful” nature, Ms. Tami Millard, Westridge’s Upper School Learning Specialist and a Peer-To-Peer facility advisor, has embodied that spirit through her work. Ms. Millard has served students and colleagues with her calming and wise presence, leaving an impact on those around her and the larger Westridge community. 

Ms. Millard works with students, most often those with learning profiles, helping to provide adequate accommodations and support on class assignments through strategies tailored to students’ needs. Along with her daily support for students, Ms. Millard was key in orchestrating two professional development days throughout her Westridge career that provided staff with activities simulating what neurodivergent students experience in a classroom setting. The day aimed to increase empathy and understanding among teachers so they would know how to best accommodate the needs of their students. As powerful activities that sparked emotion and understanding amongst teachers, Ms. Millard regards these two instances as being among her proudest accomplishments here at Westridge. 

Ms. Millard reflects that she has had the joy of witnessing people in our Westridge community evolve to achieve greater self-acceptance. “I’ve watched [Westridge] go from students feeling like they couldn’t even really publicly talk about their neurodiversities here… to have really embraced this [aspect of themselves]… and be more proud of who they are,” she said. The influence Ms. Millard has had on forwarding this progressive change in our culture has not gone unnoticed.

Lower and Middle School Learning Specialist Ms. Susie Murdock has worked alongside Ms. Millard for the past six years. “I really rely on her, and I think a lot of students do too, because she’s so good at grounding people emotionally, and she’s so calm and so thoughtful… she always takes time to check in and make sure everything’s going well,” Ms. Murdock said. 

Ms. Murdock added, “[Our teamwork has] made me a better person here at Westridge, because I can go to her and ask her opinion, and I trust it.”

Upper School Dean of Student Support Ms. Bonnie Martinez has grown close to Ms. Millard in their time working together. As lunch buddies, Discovery Week travel companions, and workout partners, Ms. Martinez, like the greater Westridge community, is beyond grateful for Ms. Millard and all she has done for Westridge and her own approach to everyday life. 

“[Ms. Millard has helped me] understand people better,” said Ms. Martinez. “Instead of just judging, like, ‘Oh, that person’s rude,’ she will say, ‘Oh, you know, this probably has come away from this perspective,’ and it’s been the greatest gift to me.”

Ms. Millard is set to leave Westridge at the end of the 2025-26 school year. She will be moving to Montreal, Canada, and will attend McGill University to earn her second master’s degree in educational philosophy.  

She is not only excited by the rich and diverse culture of Montreal but also by the plentiful opportunities that await her as she furthers her education in a “brand new” place. “I’m just looking forward to growing my brain and evolving and learning new things in my personal life, but [also] in my profession,” she said. 

Though she is not exactly sure how she will apply her degree yet, Ms. Millard aims to continue similar work in her professional life after her move, the same work that has profoundly impacted the Westridge community.

“She was a gift to us, and it’s going to be a loss,” said Ms. Martinez.