Darlington School is pleased to announce that Dr. Mark Carleton has been named Upper School principal, effective July 1, 2006.
“Mark comes to Darlington School with a deep commitment to children, teaching and leadership,” said Headmaster Tom Whitworth. “His extensive background in PK – College education will serve him well as we chart, together, the course for Darlington and its students in the second 100 years.”
According to Whitworth, Carleton came well recommended by Darlington proponents Jim Hendrix and Jim McCallie.
“When David Rhodes confided in me his interest in the headmaster’s position at King’s Ridge, I placed feelers out to independent school friends and contacts,” he said. “Jim Hendrix called to relate a story of his meeting Mark Carleton in Memphis while searching for a school for one of his grandchildren.”
Whitworth initially contacted Carleton about the Lower School principal’s position, but upon meeting him, was most impressed with his overall sense and vision for what independent school education can be, as well as his depth of experience.
“No more than one hour after our conversation, Jim McCallie called to tell me what a perfect fit he thought King’s Ridge would be for David if he chose to take that position. Then, amazingly, he recommended Mark Carleton, with whom he had been working on two other searches,” said Whitworth.
Carleton holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Centenary College (La.), a Master of Arts in English from Louisiana State University and a Doctorate in Education with a concentration in Leadership for Teaching and Learning from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
He has served as academic dean and head of upper school at Presbyterian Day School in Memphis, Tenn., since February 2002. Prior to his time at PDS, he served as chairman of the English department and dorm parent/adviser at Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tenn., from 1995 to 2001. In this capacity, he also fulfilled duties as head varsity softball coach and summer day camp director. Carleton has also coached baseball at Centenary College, and worked as a graduate teaching assistant of English at Louisiana State University.
“In my career in education, I have enjoyed significant relationships in each of the many roles I have embraced,” said Carleton. “I have worked closely with students as a teacher, coach, dorm parent and administrator, and take great pride in the e-mails and letters that I continue to receive from former pupils making their ways in the world.
“I have participated in academic and strategic planning with colleagues, parents and consultants, and continue to learn from insightful people inside and outside of the school world. I have engaged board members in thoughtful consideration of the educational mission and ministry of schools, and am committed to the prospect that even dissenting voices can be sources for innovation,” he continued. “I am doing all of these things anchored by the firm belief that I am the right sort of leader to channel the power that collaborative and uniting relationships produce – particularly in independent schools.”
Whitworth and the other administrators, faculty members, students and parents who had the opportunity to meet Carleton during his last visit to Darlington were struck by his energy, enthusiasm and student-centered vision. Lee Burns, headmaster at Presbyterian Day School, said Darlington is lucky to have attracted a leader like Carleton.
“Mark is a very talented and gifted educator who has a passion for working with young people,” he said. “He is an intellectual, a strong faculty leader, is appreciated by parents, and relates extremely well to students. Mark has helped strengthen PDS in important ways during his time here. His educational vision, leadership and hard work have really made a difference in our school.”
Carleton and his wife, Laurel, have one daughter, Camille, 2.
