When families first consider switching from a traditional classroom to online learning, they often carry a mix of hope, worry, and questions. For many new Primavera families, the first voice they hear is from our enrollment team and that first conversation can change everything.
Steven S. is an Enrollment Advisor, but his job title doesn’t tell the full story. He’s the reassuring guide who helps parents navigate big transitions, the calm presence when a student is on the verge of giving up, and the steady advocate who believes every learner deserves a chance.
“I just want to help,” Steven says simply. “My approach is always, ‘How can I help?’”
The Heart of a Helper
Steven’s path to Primavera began years ago when his wife worked for the school. At the time, he joined the team as a Student Success Partner, but life took him in a different direction, until he found his way back. Now in his second round with Primavera, Steven uses his background in youth ministry to connect with students and parents in a personal, human way.
“My role is often the first human contact a family has,” he explains. “I’m here to calm their fears. Moving a child from a traditional school to online can feel huge. I listen, I validate their concerns, and I make sure they know they’re not alone.”
Kindness in Action
One recent experience with a student highlights Steven’s approach.
The student had started the enrollment process but quickly ran into challenges — lost documents, an unstable home life, and the frustration of one more hurdle after another. At one point, she called in and told Steven she wasn’t sure if it was even worth continuing.
Steven’s response was simple but powerful:
“We’re going to keep going. This is absolutely worth it. What can I take off your plate to make this easier?” That’s kindness in action.
By focusing on compassion over pressure, Steven helped the student push through obstacles. Today, she’s stable, engaged, and actively pursuing her education.
“We just want the student to know we care,” Steven says. “In case no one else has ever told them that, we want them to hear it here.”
Fighting for Students, With Compassion
Steven has a personal connection to the struggles many families face. As a father of three daughters, one of whom has dyslexia, he knows how important it is for schools to truly listen to parents about learning needs.
“One thing I love about Primavera is that we listen,” he says. “Whether it’s an IEP, a 504 plan, or just a unique challenge, we’re here for the student.”
For Steven, fighting for students doesn’t mean being aggressive, it means being relentless in kindness. It’s truth tempered with compassion.
Why Kindness Matters in Education
Steven worries that education as a whole has become too cold and transactional. He believes deeply in keeping the human connection alive, even in an online setting.
“We might be far away, but the students are not alone,” he says. “We lead with compassion, because that’s how you reach people.”
When asked what he’d say to a student thinking of quitting, Steven doesn’t hesitate:
“Don’t quit. This too shall pass. Bad times don’t last, but good people do. There are more people who want you to succeed than have you fail.”
From the first phone call with a nervous parent to the breakthrough moment when a student re-engages, Steven’s work is proof that compassion opens doors for learning.
“Kindness isn’t soft,” Steven says. “It’s intentional. It’s how you help someone believe they can make it.”
