Since the early 80s, Nancy Ivester and Nan Gray have given their time and talents to Darlington School, but after a combined total of 48 years here, both retired at the end of the 2005-06 school year.
Ivester taught for several years in public schools in Georgia and South Carolina before taking a 15-year break to raise her children. In 1979, she and her family moved to Rome and the stage was set for her career at Darlington.
“I began a friendship with longtime Lower School teacher Lola Bradshaw, who knew I had a degree in English, and she recommended me to Jim Van Es [director of Middle School],” said Ivester.
In the fall of 1981, she began teaching seventh-grade Civics and eighth-grade English. Throughout her time at Darlington, Ivester also taught Study Skills, Communications, Health and Sex Education, Journalism, and Research. She also coached cheerleading for many years before taking over the yearbook, literary magazine and the school newspaper.
Ivester continued her work with the yearbook until her retirement this year. “Although it was very time-consuming, I enjoyed it very much because it was a creative outlet for me,” she said.
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Ivester found ways to get students involved at the Middle School. She started a recycling program before facilities were installed, sold snacks during breaks to raise money for Accelerated Reading books and prizes, encouraged students to get involved in community oratorical competitions, collected toys and books for Angel Express, and organized events for other charities such as UNICEF and Relay for Life.
Additionally, she served for 20 years on the Georgia Independent School Association Teacher Services Committee, which awards teacher and classroom grants, and stayed involved in the Athletic Booster’s Clubs, working concession stands during home football and basketball games.
“Darlington became my second home,” she said.
Ivester was awarded numerous times for her dedication and commitment to education. During her tenure, she received the Brown Award and the Parents’ Association Award for showing team spirit and support of Darlington. She also received the Reading Teacher of the Year Award from the Three Rivers Reading Council in 1992.
“I can honestly say that I looked forward to going to work every day,” said Ivester. “It is my hope that I was able to make the Middle School students feel safe, important and good about themselves. I always hoped that they could go on to high school and college with a love of reading and confidence in writing and speaking correctly. I hoped that they would be aware that individuals are often judged by their written and oral skills in grammar.”
Gray came to Darlington only two years after Ivester, working in the study hall before becoming assistant librarian and, after earning her master’s, head librarian. During her tenure, Darlington’s library has improved drastically.
“I helped Charlotte Patton, who was then head librarian, move the library from the second floor in Porter to the new McCallie-Kennedy Library where it was equipped with current databases and new technologies,” said Gray.
With this move, the number of books in the library’s collection increased by 10,000 volumes, the Middle School collection was added to the Upper School collection, and the catalog and databases were made accessible to students both on and off campus.
Gray’s service to Darlington was also recognized with a Brown Award.
“Working with Nancy Gray was one of the greatest blessings of my life. I was working with my best friend and confidante,” said Madge Crawford, library aide. “I don’t believe I’ve ever known someone to care about people so unconditionally, and that is how the students feel about her, too … When alumni return to the School, undoubtedly, the first stop they make is often the library to get a huge, heartfelt hug from Nan. She will be missed very much.”
Both Gray and Ivester said although they will miss coming to Darlington every day and being a part of the students’ lives, they are looking forward to traveling and spending more time with their children and grandchildren. Both hope to substitute teach at Darlington occasionally so they can keep in touch with former students and colleagues.
“I am going to miss this wonderful place, so I hope to be invited back once in awhile. It is hard to leave,” said Gray.
Ivester agreed. “I feel so fortunate to have been a small part of Darlington for the past 25 years … Although I know I will miss Darlington, teaching and seeing the students each day, and being involved in the many activities, I look forward to my new life.”
