One of the Lower School’s iconic teachers is retiring at the end of the school year. Gayle Monk has spent 23 years at Darlington in her 36-year career as a teacher. Over the years, she has won the respect of parents, students, and colleagues for her calm and astute management of young children.
In my six years as division director, whenever I walked into Gayle’s classroom, she was always directly engaged with her students, both in large and small groups. Gayle has always put her students as her first priority. There were many times after school and on weekends, she was found working in her classroom. Gayle’s talents and skills include organization, creativity, flexibility and concern for others.
At the annual James Douglas Brown Jr. Faculty Awards Dinner held last evening at the Huffman Center, Gayle was recognized for her commitment to Darlington School by Headmaster Tom Whitworth and her colleagues. She is planning to continue teaching as a yoga instructor in Rome.
It is with deep admiration for a truly dedicated master teacher that we celebrate Gayle Monk during these last three weeks of school. Please join me in congratulating and thanking Gayle for all she has done for our children, families and the school.
Two other Lower School faculty members were also recognized at the Brown Dinner. Theresa Dulaney was presented with the George W. Awsumb Faculty Award. This award is given to a distinguished member of the Darlington faculty who exemplifies a personal commitment to the education and well-being of the superior and the average student alike. The George W. Awsumb Award, established in 1999 by a Darlington alumnus, is given in the spirit of George W. Awsumb who taught for over 30 years at Darlington School.
Ashley Evans was the recipient of the James Douglas Brown Jr.
Faculty Award. This award, nominated by colleagues, is presented to a faculty or staff member who has served the school well in a competent and skillful manner and one who has an interest and a dedication to his or her work with the school and with the students.
