James Hutchins has been named the associate director of Darlington’s Middle School effective June 2009, announced Division Director Jim Van Es during a Middle School faculty meeting today.
“As we prepare for the addition of fifth grade to the Middle School level and the opening of our new facility, this is the perfect time to name James as our associate director,” Van Es said. “He recently earned his doctorate in educational leadership with an emphasis on brain-based learning, and that fits right in with the focus of our program. I have personally enjoyed seeing James grow both as a teacher and an administrator since he came to us in 2002. He has acted in my stead many times, and I have a great deal of confidence in him. As dean of studies, he has worked tirelessly on our curriculum and classroom instruction. He will continue that role along with his new responsibilities. James is a fine educator and – best of all – a great advocate for Darlington and her students. I have a very high regard for him as a person, as an educator and as a friend – I give him my unqualified endorsement.”
As associate director, Hutchins will assist Van Es in the development, implementation and assessment of the instructional program for all students and coordinate their transition from the Lower School to Middle School and from Middle School to Upper School. He will also help develop guidelines for student conduct and implement suitable disciplinary procedures to assure a safe and appropriate learning and teaching environment.
Hutchins and Van Es have already recruited several colleagues to serve on a Steering Committee that will help guide the Middle School during the upcoming academic year. The admission subcommittee includes Darla Betts, Charla Brewster, Lisa Goldin, Angela Pieroni and Melissa Robinson. Joey Rice has been named Middle School athletic coordinator. Goldin has been named safety coordinator for the division. Lead teachers are Brewster for fifth grade, Sally Muschamp for sixth and Pieroni for seventh and eighth. Department heads include Muschamp for humanities, Kevin Ivester for math, Pieroni for science, Eva Marie Burns for fine arts and Susan Stout for physical education.
“This group of faculty members has demonstrated tremendous leadership potential,” Hutchins said. “We’ve hit the ground running and we’ve already begun to chart the course for next year. Some of the tasks we are taking on were previously overseen by Ken Wempe, who will be leaving us at the end of the year. He did a wonderful job as dean of students and we’ll miss him, but we are all going to work together to ensure that our program remains strong and we don’t skip a beat.
“On that note, Jim has announced that Michelle Major will replace Ken as the eighth-grade English teacher,” Hutchins continued. “Having taught one segment of eighth-grade English this year, Michelle was the logical choice. The connection she has with her students is the perfect example of the student-teacher relationship that is so important here at Darlington. As she often says, ‘I get them, and they get me.’ Jim and I are very excited about filling this position and rounding out our core teaching faculty for the upcoming academic year.”
Hutchins has been a member of Darlington’s Middle School faculty since August 2002, most recently as dean of studies. In 2006, he received the Parents’ Choice Award from the Parents Association for his excellent work in the classroom. He holds a B.S. from Shorter College, a M.S. from Jacksonville State University, and an Ed.S. and Ed.D. from the University of Alabama.
