Pace Academy parents and co-chairs of the Pace Fund’s New Family and Inclusion Committee, HANAN and SAMIR IDRIS’s guiding principle in life is clear: “The larger community and giving back should be the essence of life and the core of our values.” Using this premise as a guide, the Idris family discovered their school home at Pace, an environment that they have found to be welcoming, diverse, inclusive, globally-minded and family-focused. 

Both Samir and Hanan hail from Ethiopia, and each has lived in several countries around the world. Samir spent his earliest years in Addis Ababa and relocated to Bath, England, to attend boarding school. Just before the 1996 Olympic Games, he moved to Atlanta, where he finished high school and attended both college and graduate school. Now a self-proclaimed Atlanta native, he has built a career in commercial real estate and has joyfully watched the city bloom into a diverse, international metropolitan area.

From Ethiopia, Hanan’s family relocated to the Middle East and later Europe before ultimately settling in Canada. During her secondary and collegiate school years, Hanan lived in Toronto, a place she credits with giving her “a strong foundation to see things from many perspectives.” After graduating from Ryerson University, Hanan worked in information technology in Toronto before moving to Dubai, where she took a job with a public relations firm. 

Throughout their international adventures, both Hanan and Samir prioritized visiting Ethiopia, and on one such occasion, met each other. The rest, as they say, is history—the couple will soon celebrate their 10-year wedding anniversary.

Given their backgrounds, it is no surprise that Hanan and Samir sought a school dedicated to creating prepared, confident citizens of the world. When exploring educational options for daughters DALIA IDRIS ’34 and LEENA IDRIS ’36, the Idrises were immediately drawn to Pace’s welcoming, open approach, characteristics that were obvious even as admissions tours were modified during COVID. When touring Pace, Hanan was struck by the personal manner in which Head of School FRED ASSAF, admissions team members and Pace students greeted their guests. “It was very clear that this was a community, and the pandemic was not going to stop the love and the true character of the school from being revealed to prospective families,” she recalls 

As the Idrises continued getting to know Pace, they found that the school’s focus on global learning through the Isdell Center for Global Leadership (ICGL), combined with high academic standards and a strong sense of community for all stakeholders, aligned with their family’s values. “A supporting learning environment is a family environment in a sense,” the family says. “Education should be an extension of the foundation and values set in the home; education should help with development, growth and academic achievement, and should ultimately lead children to live successful and meaningful lives.”

The Idrises have enjoyed watching how Pace has inspired second-grader Dalia to further explore this year’s ICGL theme of Water, with school conversations and projects catapulting her advocacy for sustainable water usage at home. They have likewise watched Pre-Firster Leena light up when learning about new places and cultures, and then sharing that same learning at home. 

Recognizing the value of their own children’s outstanding school experience and wanting to realize that same opportunity for other students, Hanan and Samir have prioritized giving back to Pace through volunteerism and philanthropy. The Idrises view their generous financial support as something akin to investing in a home. To them, philanthropic giving is “like moving into an amazing neighborhood and an incredible home and thinking that there is nothing else to do. The reality is we must spend time and contribute toward its maintenance and improvement to ensure that our incredible home and neighborhood continue to evolve and thrive.”. In other words, donors’ gifts of time, talent and treasure help ensure that the first-in-class Pace Academy experience remains top-notch.

Further, by volunteering with the Pace Fund, the Idrises have not only strengthened their connections with other Pace families but have also remained true to one of their core values. “Volunteering has reinforced our beliefs about being involved with and investing in our children’s future,” Hanan says. “It has also helped build lifelong friendships with fellow Pace parents. Some of our closest friends now are the people we have met while volunteering with the Pace Fund. It is easy to make meaningful friendships when there are common values and principles involved.”

Tell us about yourself and your family.

CIARA: I am married to my high school sweetheart, EDDIE IRONS, and we have two children, BRICE IRONS ’31 and Rori Irons, 4, currently a student at the Atlanta Speech School. Brice loves gymnastics, skateboarding, horseback riding and all things related to reading. Rori loves tennis and anything in the science and nature realm. As a family, we enjoy exploring new countries and indigenous cultures.  

BILL: My wife, CARTER MONROE, and I are proud Pace parents of our daughter, LAWSON MONROE ’26, and son WILLIAM MONROE ’31. We enjoy staying active—in the fall we can often be found at Pace’s volleyball courts and the Northside Youth Organization’s football fields.

What stands out to you about Pace? 

CIARA: Children are met with an academic rigor that challenges them in an environment that recognizes their individual lights and strengths, and that is small enough for them to feel part of a community. We also have loved the school’s inclusiveness and hands-on approach.

BILL: What first connected us to Pace was the school’s focus on teaching and developing more than just the student in the classroom. Now, after more than 10 years as part of the community, our family has been enriched by all the relationships we’ve developed through Pace.

Why did you choose to co-chair this year’s Pace Fund? 

CIARA: I am intentional about putting my time and energy into my children’s school community, however I am needed. I’ve been involved with the Pace Fund the past few years, and serving as co-chair this year felt organic. It was the right time.

BILL: This is one small way I can give back to the Pace community that has done so much for our family. Asking others for money is rarely comfortable, despite watching [Head of School] FRED ASSAF do it so well—but knowing the Pace Fund supports academic programming, arts, athletics, professional development, financial aid, global leadership and community engagement makes it very rewarding.

Additional thoughts about the Pace Fund?

CIARA: As the school’s #1 annual giving priority, the Pace Fund provides critical resources required by our faculty and staff in educating our children. Participation by 100% of our families, at the level right for them, makes all the difference. I implore every family to be involved! It makes us stronger and empowers our community and children.

BILL: The Pace our families benefit from today exists because of the dedication and support of families before us. Our strong support helps make Pace even better now and for years to come. I hope other families will join us to make this year’s Pace Fund Priority One!

TERRI and DAN JANKI became advocates and supporters of Pace Academy in 2008 when they moved from Ridgefield, Conn., to Atlanta and enrolled their daughters, CAROLINE JANKI ’21 and MADELINE JANKI ’19, in Pre-First and second grade. Pace has since felt like home, even with a two-year stretch during which the family—now also including RYAN JANKI ’29—returned to Ridgefield.

Before settling in the Peach State, the couple lived in Boston, where they met while participating in GE’s financial management program; Hong Kong, where, as newlyweds, they launched their careers with GE; and then Ridgefield, where their girls were born.

Exploring Atlanta school options, the couple knew from positive experiences in Ridgefield the type of educational setting they were seeking. Terri says, “We wanted a close-knit, family feel with involved parents and strong academics… a place where our girls would thrive and we would meet other parents.”

Terri’s own school days made her particularly intent on finding a school that would offer the children connection and support. Her father’s frequent job transfers brought multiple school changes: “I grew up being the new girl every two to three years,” she explains. “Moving so often, I didn’t have the opportunity to build relationships with my teachers or view them as mentors.” 

Dan, who had attended Catholic schools as a child, says his early views on education were shaped in that “private, very disciplined” setting. These views developed further in college: “My experiences at Ohio State University—an extremely large, public university—provided me with significant contrasts [to K-12].” He names a ‘fend for yourself’ approach as an example; these contrasts underscored for him the benefit of a supportive, independent-school environment.

A culture valuing parent volunteerism was also important, especially to Terri, who had retired from GE Capital in 2006 to be an at-home parent and hoped for opportunities to engage. “Lucky for us, it was an expansion year for the Lower School, and they were willing to meet with us, [even though] we were well past the admissions cycle,” Terri says.

The couple was sold after their visit to Pace. Dan explains, “We knew we had found a school that valued the partnership that exists between faculty, students and parents, and that offered excellent academics.” 

In their 12 years at Pace, the Jankis have strived to uphold their end of the partnership. Terri has volunteered in leadership roles for the Parents Club and the Parents Club Auction; served as a grade representative; and taken on duties such as Lower School office volunteer and Inman Center Snack Bar parent. 

They have also partnered by supporting key fundraising initiatives. “We understand that the Pace Fund supplements the operating budget and helps further the school’s strategic plan— ultimately enhancing the academic experience,” Dan says.

The Jankis signed on to be grade-level leaders during the Aim High capital campaign for the Arthur M. Blank Family Upper School, and were early to support Accelerate Pace, Pace’s current capital campaign.

Terri says they are grateful to every division. She appreciates “partnering with the Lower School teachers and learning specialists on what is best for your child to encourage success.” She cites the emphasis on the student-teacher relationship as a valuable aspect of Pace’s Middle and Upper School programs. 

“And of course the Isdell Center for Global Leadership makes Pace unique.” The girls have been to Thailand (Madeline) and South Africa and Lesotho (Caroline) on Habitat for Humanity study tours, and Caroline also ventured on a Care for AIDS trip to Kenya. In fourth grade, Ryan loves “everything [the teachers] do to help you to improve your learning and all the sports and clubs,” with robotics being his favorite. 

As a senior, Caroline is grateful for “the traditions and the teachers, as well as the coaches who help you not only to grow as an athlete, but... to strengthen your character.”

Madeline, a sophomore at the University of Notre Dame, has great affection for Pace. “I know that the Pace community...is always there for me...with guidance, career help or anything in between.” She adds, “Pace was a home for me—I realized that when my family moved away for two years… [I missed] the school pride, connectedness and love that every student and teacher has toward one another.”

Dan’s leadership roles over the course of 30 years at GE inform his thoughts on the Pace education and learning priorities for students. He reflects, “We—parents and teachers—have the same goals for students: to develop the ability to self-advocate; to be confident, engaged and independent learners; and to know when to ask questions or seek help for success in the next chapter.” 

The Jankis’ future hopes for Pace include continued technology investments as well as athletic excellence. Seeing implementation of the Action Plan for Racial Equity is also important to them. Terry says, “We hope this is reflected in admissions as well as hiring—and that the curricula reflect many points of view, helping to instill open-mindedness and build a community that embraces differences.”

Tell us about yourself and your family.

CIARA: I am married to my high school sweetheart, EDDIE IRONS, and we have two children, BRICE IRONS ’31 and Rori Irons, 4, currently a student at the Atlanta Speech School. Brice loves gymnastics, skateboarding, horseback riding and all things related to reading. Rori loves tennis and anything in the science and nature realm. As a family, we enjoy exploring new countries and indigenous cultures.  

BILL: My wife, CARTER MONROE, and I are proud Pace parents of our daughter, LAWSON MONROE ’26, and son WILLIAM MONROE ’31. We enjoy staying active—in the fall we can often be found at Pace’s volleyball courts and the Northside Youth Organization’s football fields.

What stands out to you about Pace? 

CIARA: Children are met with an academic rigor that challenges them in an environment that recognizes their individual lights and strengths, and that is small enough for them to feel part of a community. We also have loved the school’s inclusiveness and hands-on approach.

BILL: What first connected us to Pace was the school’s focus on teaching and developing more than just the student in the classroom. Now, after more than 10 years as part of the community, our family has been enriched by all the relationships we’ve developed through Pace.

Why did you choose to co-chair this year’s Pace Fund? 

CIARA: I am intentional about putting my time and energy into my children’s school community, however I am needed. I’ve been involved with the Pace Fund the past few years, and serving as co-chair this year felt organic. It was the right time.

BILL: This is one small way I can give back to the Pace community that has done so much for our family. Asking others for money is rarely comfortable, despite watching [Head of School] FRED ASSAF do it so well—but knowing the Pace Fund supports academic programming, arts, athletics, professional development, financial aid, global leadership and community engagement makes it very rewarding.

Additional thoughts about the Pace Fund?

CIARA: As the school’s #1 annual giving priority, the Pace Fund provides critical resources required by our faculty and staff in educating our children. Participation by 100% of our families, at the level right for them, makes all the difference. I implore every family to be involved! It makes us stronger and empowers our community and children.

BILL: The Pace our families benefit from today exists because of the dedication and support of families before us. Our strong support helps make Pace even better now and for years to come. I hope other families will join us to make this year’s Pace Fund Priority One!