Learning Center Director Libbie Zimmer has announced that she has accepted a position as head of Lower School at Sanford School in Wilmington, Del., for 2010-11, and that she and her family will move there at the end of the school year.
“I always hoped that I would get to run my own school, and I don’t think that anybody would have looked twice at me if it hadn’t been for what Darlington has given me the chance to do with the Learning Center,” Libbie said.
The Zimmers came to Darlington in August 1997. Casey was hired as assistant director of admission, and Libbie served on the house duty staff and taught pre-K in the Floyd County Schools system. They initially planned to be at Darlington for 3-5 years, but it did not take long for this campus to feel like home and a place where they could start their family. During their 13-year tenure, they have served Darlington in many capacities, giving of their time and energy to make this school the best it can be.
Casey played a large role in planning and developing the English House System, and served as one of the first six heads of house. During this period, they had their children, William (’19) and Ellie (’21), and Libbie helped Casey run the house. Casey later served as interim director of admission, director of admission, and then transitioned to director of financial aid so he could spend more time teaching English. He has also taken on additional duties as crew coach and college advisor.
In 2004, Libbie worked with interim president Jim Hendrix in a consulting role. The following year, she took on the task of planning and developing our PK-12 Learning Center. In 2006, she became director of the program, which has since grown to accommodate over 125 students at all three divisions.
The Zimmers say they will miss Darlington dearly. “This has been an amazing journey for us,” Libbie said. “This school has been much more than a job; it’s been our home and our lives. I have always been passionate about education, but never realized that it would become so much more than a profession. That’s the part that still overwhelms me – to think that a place can represent so much.”
Libbie added that she credits Darlington with preparing her for her new opportunity at Sanford School. “Professionally, Darlington allowed me the chance to build and grow a program that’s so important as we look into what we want to be as a 21st Century school," she said. "I know that there are certainly challenges ahead, but I feel confident and prepared because of the experiences I’ve had here.”
In a written announcement to faculty and staff, Darlington Headmaster Tom Whitworth wished the Zimmers well in this new chapter of their lives. "While it is always sad to see our colleagues go, especially those who have dedicated so much of their lives to this wonderful place, Libbie and Casey have expressed that they are anticipating the next phase of their lives with great enthusiasm," he said. "I wish them all the best."
