Assistant Director of Lower School Diane Lumpkin announced this week that she will leave Darlington at the end of the current school year to take a full-time teaching position with the Floyd County Schools system. She will teach music to pre-K to third-grade classes at Midway Primary School.
“Diane has admirably served Darlington for the past 17 years and has truly been an asset in the transition of leadership at the Lower School,” said Steve Bartholomew, director of Lower School. “Her commitment and contribution to the students and families at Darlington is invaluable, and we wish her continued success and all the best in her new position.”
Lumpkin came to Darlington in August 1990 after spending 10 years in the Rome City Schools system, and during her tenure she has done everything from teaching, to directing class plays, to coordinating professional development opportunities for the Lower School faculty. And all the while, Lumpkin has made sure that students are the main focus of all that she does.
“Diane is so gifted musically, and she translates that knowledge into fun-filled learning for children,” said Janice Cox, pre-first grade teacher. “She is kind and nurturing and exceptionally intuitive and resourceful. When we as a faculty need help with certification issues, finding special music, sorting out transportation details, scheduling events, searching for costumes, or working on emergency procedures, we call Diane. She is knowledgeable in so many areas.
“One of the greatest gifts she gives to our school is the gift of recognition. She knows every student and every parent in the Lower School. She welcomes everyone, calling them by name,” Cox continued. “Diane’s professionalism is a great strength; her knowledge of elementary education is vast; her love for children and the learning process sets her apart as a wonderful educator. We will miss her, but what a blessing she will be to the children at Midway Primary.”
Former Lower School Principal Mark Tayloe attributes much of his success at Darlington to the support he received from Lumpkin during the seven years he headed the division. “When I was at the Lower School, I used to come up with ideas. I would get the big picture in my mind and then say to Diane, ‘How can we make this work?’” he said. “She is great at figuring out procedure and logistics, and I relied on her heavily for all kinds of things such as the school calendar, transportation, and professional development opportunities for faculty, among a host of other responsibilities. I always appreciated her high energy and enthusiasm. She loved her job, and she loved Darlington School. Diane was a trusted colleague and remains my good friend.”
After 17 years at Darlington, Lumpkin said there are so many things she will miss. “I will truly miss the friendships I have forged at the Lower School,” she said. “Some of the most important people in my life – teachers, parents and students – come from these years. I treasure these relationships more than I can describe in words. And some of my fondest memories are of our wonderful class musicals. It is amazing what children can do on stage. I love seeing them grow in confidence and abilities from year to year.”
Lumpkin added that she is excited about the opportunity to get back into the classroom and teach music full-time. “The classroom is the most important place in a school, because effective teaching brings about successful learning,” she said. “Teachers are the movers and shakers of the world, bending minds while, at the same time, instilling in students the desire to be life-long learners.
“It is my foremost goal as a music teacher to instill in each child a life-long love and appreciation for music and all that it encompasses. I truly believe that making music makes you smarter, and I know from experience that all children can accomplish remarkable things when the conditions are right,” Lumpkin continued. “As long as I believe that having a great day at school is a lot less exhausting than having a lousy day, I know that I am still in the right profession. Let the music play on!”
