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Making the Grade: Creative Play student returns as counselor.
- Jeanne Theismann
- Oct 2
- 2 min read
Noah Urchek was two years old when he first enrolled at the Creative Play School in Alexandria. Despite being quiet and shy, Urcheck was an active student, remembered for staying busy and running around the playground. Now a college student at Virginia Commonwealth University, Urcheck returned as a counselor to the same halls he walked as a student 18 years ago.
“I still remember all my teachers,” Urchek said during a break from his own work as a counselor. “I have the best memories from this school and made many friends from the aftercare program.”
Urchek attended Creative Play School through 5th grade before attending George Washington Middle School and Alexandria City High School.
“Noah was in my first class of 2-year-olds,” said Kris Solberg, who has been a director at the school for 15 years. “He was always very well behaved and always loved to draw. He would run around the playground so it was no surprise that he ended up running track. As a counselor Noah is wonderful with the children and they have fun with him.”
Diane Smalley opened the school in 1980. It now has two locations in the city of Alexandria.
“I always wanted to work with young children,” Smalley said. “We have great families here and some students like Noah have come back.”
Urchek is now studying communication arts at Virginia Commonwealth University. He says he can see himself in some of his own students.
“Sometimes it feels weird being back here,” Urchek said. “And I can see my younger self in some of these kids.”
Two of Urchek’s former teachers – Abby Garcia and Dora Romero -- recalled the active young boy who is now a colleague.
“Noah was a quiet little boy but all over the place,” said Romero, who has been at the school for 20 years. “It’s amazing to have him back.”