Community: Who We Are at Gateway
When we started brainstorming this year's theme, we didn't want to choose something simply because it sounded good or fit on a poster… We wanted something that truly reflected who we are at Gateway. In the past, we've chosen themes like Grit, Kindness, and Pause; concepts we intentionally teach and model with our students. But this year, the more we talked, the more we wanted our theme to represent Gateway as a whole and it became clear the answer was already woven into everything we do: Community.
At Gateway, community starts inside our walls, with our relationships. We work intentionally to create a school where students feel valued and connected to those around them. That feeling; the "Gateway Way", doesn't just happen by accident. It's something we create together, something our Head of School has cultivated in all of us over the past 20 years. It lives in the intentional relationships we build with our students, in the connections our students make with each other, and in the way our staff shows up for each other.
But this culture of community isn't something adults simply provide for students; it's something we build with them, as a team. Being part of this community means learning how to support others, show kindness, take responsibility, celebrate one another, and recognize when someone needs a little extra support.
That starts with modeling. The collaboration between teachers, counselors, administrators, and staff is everything; it's checking in on a colleague, sharing an idea, celebrating a success, or stepping in when someone needs help. It's recognizing that we're all working toward the same goal: helping our students thrive. When our students see us being a community, we see them doing it for others. We see our students checking in on each other, supporting each other on the basketball court, and cheering each other on during all their events.
But community at Gateway goes beyond the walls of our school.
We encourage our students to give their time and energy through community service, so they can experience firsthand that they have something meaningful to offer and that being part of a community also means giving back to those around them. Our internship program extends that same philosophy: by connecting students with workplaces and organizations in the broader community, we help them become active members of those communities right now.
This year, we want to be intentional about celebrating and strengthening what already makes Gateway special; continuing to create meaningful connections, finding ways to support one another, giving back to our community, and making sure every student and staff member knows they have a place here.
Ultimately, when it came to choosing this year's theme, Community was a no-brainer; because COMMUNITY is who we are at Gateway. It's the Gateway Way.
We are changing the story.
Paxton Leibold, MA, LPC
Director of Counseling
For 9 years, Paxton has supported marginalized groups in mental health settings across various communities. With a Master's from the University of Denver, she now focuses on aiding students with learning differences in Houston. Since 2020, Paxton has been with Gateway Academy, initially as a family and student support specialist at Advance Houston, then transitioning to become the Director of Counseling. Her role involves teaching emotional wellness classes, giving classroom support, and leading individual student sessions. Paxton is pursuing certification in Attachment and Trauma to further enhance her support at Gateway.