From Student to Staff: Why These Alumni Chose Wayland, Again

Here, three Wayland alumni share what inspired them to return to the community that helped define their paths.

Landyn Heimerl `13: Returning to the Community That Shaped Him

For Landyn Heimerl `13, the decision to come back was an easy one.

“I remember when I was a student, I could’ve stayed at Wayland forever—it was my home away from home in the truest sense,” he said. “There’s something about living in a dorm from the ages of 14-18. You share your highest highs and your lowest lows with your friends and they’re there for you all along the way; they become your adopted family in many ways.”

As a student, Landyn really admired his teachers and the way they blended rigorous academics with personal growth. “The learning was engaging, and I felt as if the teachers and their classes made not only an impact on my academics, but also who I was becoming as a person,” he said, recalling favorite classes with Ms. Alpaugh, Dr. Lake, Dr. Krause, and Mr. Schneider.

Now a faculty member himself, Landyn strives to continue that same tradition of connection and care. “While some things have changed a bit around Wayland since I graduated, the most important things haven’t,” he said. “There are still life-long friendships being made, excellent curricula and faculty, and perhaps most importantly, awesome and inspiring people from all around the world.”

Elise Krause `04: Coming Home to Inspire the Next Generation

As a freshman at Wayland, Elise Krause `04 admits she was homesick and shy, working hard to go unnoticed. But teachers saw her potential and helped her find her footing.

“After some coaxing from Ms. Kesler, I reached out, and Wayland welcomed me,” she recalled. “People here care about each other, look out for each other. They share similar interests—like learning about other cultures or languages or ideas. People at Wayland find the world interesting, which makes them interesting. I began to realize that, much to my surprise, I was interesting, too.”

It wasn’t long before Wayland truly became her home. “At my family Christmas, my cousin asked me when I was headed back to school, and I replied, “I go home in a week.”  My mom’s forehead crinkled. She had caught the “mistake” before I did,” Elise said. “I had called Wayland my home.”

Now a teacher at Wayland, Elise continues to nurture the same spirit of belonging that helped her grow years ago. “After four years of Wayland, I found moving away to be even harder because I became my ‘self’ here,” she said. “Perhaps that’s why I keep returning home—and why I now teach here. I hope to pass on the kind of freedom and authenticity I felt back then to the next generation of Wayland students looking for a home.”

Bryanna Michaletz `13: Finding Purpose in Sharing Her Story

When Bryanna Michaletz `13 walked across the Commencement stage in May of 2013, she expected to return for Alumni Weekend and other Wayland-sponsored events, but never imagined she’d one day return to Wayland as an employee.

“Coming back to Wayland as an employee has allowed me to share stories of my time as an alum, remind students what makes Wayland so great, and make their experience just as special as my own,” she said.

Now serving as Associate Director of Admission, Bryanna finds deep meaning in connecting with prospective families through her own Wayland experience. “It is an honor to share my story, as well as other alumni stories throughout the admission process. I am proud to have returned to Wayland and can’t wait to continue my professional career here. And best of all, I get to work alongside my previous teachers who I get to call my colleagues and friends, who still inspire me just as they did when I was a student.”

Continuing the Work That Once Inspired Them

For Landyn, Elise, and Bryanna, returning to Wayland is more than a career choice—it’s a way to honor the community that nurtured their growth. Each brings a unique perspective, yet they share a common goal: to give back, to lead, and to carry forward the values that shaped them.