Will Oreck
Inspired by Vogue’s popular YouTube series entitled “73 Questions,” the Life section challenged Poly’s Assistant Head of School Trixie Sabundayo to answer 59 rapid fire questions about his daily routines and must-haves. Instead of 73 questions, we ask 59 in honor of the year the Poly Upper School was founded: 1959.
What college/university did you attend? Johns Hopkins.
What did you major in? English major with a minor in women’s studies.
Where did you work before coming to Poly? Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, Harvard-Westlake School, Marin Academy, Princeton Day School, and Shady Side Academy.
What led you to choose a career in education? I grew up as a math and science kid, but I ended up majoring in English. Through that, I discovered my love for literature and have been teaching it ever since.
Where did you grow up? Baltimore, Maryland.
What inspired you to become an educator in the first place? Incredible teachers and coaches, and the value that they instilled in me around a growth mindset.
Was there a teacher or mentor who influenced your career path? Mr. Christensen showed me the importance of interdisciplinary thinking.
What drew you to Poly? The mission, the people, the community, and the joy.
What surprised you about Poly? The large size of the campus.
What is your favorite part of Poly so far? Arden Lawn.
What Poly tradition or event are you most looking forward to? The Grandparents and Special Friends Day assembly.
How do you like to connect with students and faculty? One-on-one or in small groups.
What is a typical day for you in this role? Visiting both campuses, observing students, and interacting with faculty and staff.
Is there anything specific you’d like to focus on or achieve in your new role? Getting to know and understand the Poly community, both in and out of the classroom.
What keeps you motivated?
Thinking about how to deepen inclusive, student-centered, and student-empowering experiences in schools is a passion of mine.
Who is someone that you look up to?
My mom. She’s curious, growth-minded, takes risks, and isn’t confined by social constructs!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received? Think beyond yourself.
What advice would you give your high school self? To not worry so much.
Is there a motto or quote you live by? “Be the change that you want to see in the world.” – Gandhi
What’s a challenge you’ve had to overcome at Poly so far? Wanting to know the school and the people more quickly.
Do you have any daily rituals or routines? Meditation and exercise.
What is something about yourself that might surprise people? My real name is Rosland.
What is a life lesson you think all students should learn before graduating?
How to truly be good to themselves and each other.
What do you think is the most rewarding part of working in education? Impacting students in both mundane and profound ways.
What is your favorite hobby or a new skill you’ve recently learned? Cooking and baking, just made bagels with my daughter.
Favorite book? Anything written by Gabriel García Márquez.
Most recent movie you watched? Thor
Preference for type of music? Right now, Stevie Wonder.
What about a song choice? “Break My Soul” by Beyoncé.”
What sports have you played? Field hockey and lacrosse. I played them in college.
Favorite sport to watch? Don’t have one
Most enjoyable part of summer? Traveling with family.
Most recommended place to travel?
North shore of Hawaii.
Favorite game to play? Poker.
Do you have any pets? Not yet.
Favorite breed of dog? Labrador.
Do you have any siblings? One older brother.
Favorite snack? Plantain chips.
Favorite drink? Coffee.
Favorite class in high school? Biology.
Least favorite class in high school?
I was more math/science inclined at that time, so 9th-grade English was a challenge.
Morning person or night owl? Both.
Favorite season?All of them.
Favorite restaurant? Burma Superstar in San Fran!
Do you have a favorite spot in Pasadena?
Poly.
Favorite holiday? Thanksgiving.
Something you always pack when you travel? Running shoes.
Most recent place traveled? Ojai.
What’s your zodiac sign? Capricorn.
If you could start any business, what would it be? A farm where we host classes from literature to art to yoga and we grow and make our own food.
If you had a lot of free time, what is one skill you would want to learn? Woodworking, pottery, or civil engineering.
What’s something on your bucket list?
Travel to Portugal or revisit South Africa.
What’s something that always makes you smile? Family.
If you could have a conversation with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? Gabriel García Márquez. He’s one of my all-time favorite writers.
If you could teach any class, what would it be about? A class that incorporated literature, art and yoga.
How many languages do you know? Three: English, Spanish, and Tagalog.
How comfortable are you with these languages? English and Spanish I can understand and speak relatively well. My parents are from the Philippines, so I can understand Tagalog, but I don’t speak it.
Are you a beach person or a mountain person? Beach.
Do you have a hidden talent? Headstands and handstands.