Rising Stars: Meet Natalia Bondy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia Bondy.

Natalia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was never considered a strong student. I would blend into desks where able. I would avoid eye contact at all costs. This was my school experience through to 8th grade – this is when someone “saw” me. I grew up in the Northside of Chicago, but the summer before I started 8th grade, we moved to another block which meant a whole new school district. It was this move that changed my life and personal history.

Mr. Weiss changed my life in ways I was able to thank him for in my adult life. I share all of this, as I believe it helps to explain my “why.” Why I became a lifelong learner and educator. Also, why I became a Head of School and leader with Fusion Academy – Boulder County. I started my career within Fusi9on Academy years ago after deciding to not only leave the classroom but eventually to also pivot into Higher Education. After 5 years of working with a University, I found Fusion Academy. I remember being invited to visit a campus in Illinois, and I did not think their mission could be real – to put love at the forefront of all one does.

To build a rigorous and engaging individualized classroom? Neither sounded real – but it was, and it is. I was the Head of School for the Lincoln Park campus in Chicago for some years until I was asked to come out to Colorado to help open a new campus. This was an easy decision for my family and me. I dove into the idea and prepared to move. It was at this time that the Louisville wildfires occurred – over 1,500 homes were destroyed, and families were impacted. It just so happened to also be the same area where the new Fusion Academy – Boulder County campus was being built. I wanted to be sure that not only would we have the highest quality of educators to be a part of our team, but that we were also creating the safest, inclusive loving space for the community.

I am here today, going into our 2nd year since opening our doors, with an empathetic, supportive, creative, and glorious campus. This is thanks to not just my journey, but most of all the incredible team we have built together since opening our doors in August of 2022. We support not only full-time students, but thanks to our accreditation, we can also support flexible schedules for part-time students, dually enrolled students, and those in need of purely supplemental support in the form of tutoring and mentoring. Our program offers a landing space for those who have not felt successful in more traditional learning spaces.

Thanks to Mr. Weiss’ wisdom and first words to me – you’re so smart and capable – I have been able to foster a space of positive learning and personal growth. My journey is not at all unusual, but it’s with that building of connections from experiences that make for the most impact – to Love. Motivate. Teach.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not always been a smooth road – the biggest obstacle being that of community distrust. We were opening a campus in an area that had just experienced such significant loss and trauma. We were also very much “the new kids in town.” We were certainly not seen as “a real school” when we first opened our doors, so much of my role in our first year was trying to build trust with families, but also engaging programming for students who so much wanted to have a ‘normal’ experience in school.

The reality is that prospective families I was meeting with all said the same things – we want more of a social scene and “just 2 students is just not enough.” I consider this a challenge of imagination because I was the sole person on their journey who knew what we were capable of. I was painting a picture that only was beautiful if I had their trust. It was a cyclical obstacle if I built it, they would come, but they did not want to unless I built it.

Thankfully, the community found that our programming was quickly becoming a necessity. People were feeling so disconnected from schools that they were refusing to go. Some had not been attending any programs for years! Because we offer individualized and personalized learning, and because the reality is that no one learns the same – our families eventually found us.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in Secondary Education and was an English teacher for years. I then pursued a second master’s degree in educational leadership. I am the Head of School for the Fusion Academy – Boulder County, which is a private school. As such, I lead all goings on campus whether it’s professional growth and development, or campus activities, I oversee the academic, social, and enrollment goals of campus.

I am most proud of being inspired by an incredible educator I had the privilege of having in the 8th grade, to then be able to pay it forward and become an educator, as well. I believe that I am known most for my belief in celebrating and empowering the individual.

I chose to lead our campus the way I had not experienced leadership as a teacher. I am most proud of feeling Fusion Academy encourages me to be my most authentic self, and for building not 1 but 2 highly successful campuses. I am always the proudest of my team – our powerful mentor teachers, and dynamic admin.

What are your plans for the future?
I try to focus on the present so my only existing plan for the future is to continue to build community awareness of our campus, and partnerships with members of the community as we grow.

Pricing:

• A la carte cost per course.
• The lower price point for tutoring/mentoring.
• $46-55,000 per year for full-time students depending on scheduling needs.
• Offers a competitive payment plan.
• Offers referral discounts.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fusionacademy.com/campuses/boulder-county/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/FusionBoulderCounty/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fusion-Academy-Boulder-County-107462948487687
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Fusionacademyvideo