After a combined 65 years of service, Reba Barnes, Theresa Dulaney and Raymond Murray will retire from Darlington School at the end of the current school year.
"Their commitment to the school and, more importantly, our students has been second to none," said Head of School Brent Bell in an announcement to faculty and staff today. "Please join me in congratulating each of them and wishing them all the best."
Barnes has been at Darlington since 1996, serving as an administrative assistant in the Admission Office until she was named a head of house in 2000. In her years as head of Summerbell House (previously Barnes House), she has served as a second mother to nearly 500 young men. In 2007, Barnes took on an additional role as director of the Upper School’s Servant Leadership Program, creating meaningful opportunities for our students to serve the community..
"It was very difficult to make the decision to retire this year. I would like to thank the amazing students faculty and staff that have helped me realize my goals for Residential Life and Servant Leadership for the past 20 years," said Barnes. "The Darlington Community will forever remain near and dear to my heart."
Dulaney has taught P.E. at Darlington since 2004 and served as head varsity girls’ lacrosse coach since 2005. She has also coached varsity volleyball; varsity, JV, and middle school basketball; and JV soccer.
"I am very grateful to have been a part of the Darlington family, and I want to thank the administration, my colleagues, and my friends for all their encouragement and support throughout the years," said Dulaney. "I have been so blessed to teach and coach students from pre-K through high school, and it has been a joy to see each individual child grow and become successful in their own unique way. The relationships I have made with my students and the impact they each have made on my life will be my most cherished memories of Darlington. I thank God for the opportunity he has given me to teach and to love each child at Darlington and I am excited to see where God will lead me next in my journey. Thank you, and know that I will always hold memories of Darlington close to my heart."
Murray joined Darlington's English department in 1986 and was named department chair in 2016. During his tenure, he has also served as a college advisor and coached middle school football, junior varsity baseball, varsity softball, and varsity golf.
"After teaching English for so many years, I have very few original ideas. Yes, I am retiring, but in a sense, I am not leaving," said Murray. "Of course, I am going, but my many memories will remain with me forever. So in a way, I am not saying good-bye, and that is a comfort to me. I need little else."
Look for feature stories on each of the retirees in the summer 2017 issue of Darlington Magazine.
Click here for more information about employment opportunities at Darlington School.
