Darlington School: Private Boarding School in Georgia Through the Eyes of a Tiger: An Interview With Mrs. Bennett
Darlington School: Private Boarding School in Rome, GA
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Through the Eyes of a Tiger: An Interview With Mrs. Bennett

Mario Dinatti | October 13, 2013 | 234 views

Karen Bennett (second from right) is recognized with a Brown Award for her service to the school during the 2013 Brown Faculty Appreciation Dinner.
Karen Bennett has worked at Darlington for 15 years and currently serves as registrar and executive assistant to the director of Upper School. She holds a B.A. from Valdosta State College. She and her husband, Hugh, are the parents of Laura Bennett ('04).

How did you start working at Darlington?

My husband and I had moved away, but we decided to come back to Rome. When we moved back, I decided to go back to work and began working at Darlington. I worked in the Development Office, and I actually had Debbie Greeson’s job (which is the person who takes in the money from pledges and so forth and acknowledges all those gifts).

What are your roles at Darlington?

I am first and foremost the registrar, and I work on all of the students’ schedules with Coach Woods, who is the master scheduler. Coach Woods decides what classes are offered and when they’re offered, and it’s my job to fit the classes into everyone’s schedule. Sometimes it works beautifully and sometimes not so much, but it mostly depends on what classes you’re taking. For example, someone may want to take seven AP classes and is able to take all seven. On the other hand, someone may want to take two AP classes and one Honors class, but it doesn’t work out because of the schedule. 

What do you love most about Darlington?

I love working with the students. I work at Darlington during the summer, and it’s very boring and quiet without the students. When the students come back to school, my job becomes very fun and exciting again. 

What is your favorite memory from your entire experience at Darlington?

The best thing was watching my daughter walk across the stage at graduation. Parents are always concerned about their children until they graduate, so parents have a great feeling when they do graduate. 

What makes Darlington such a special place?

The Darlington Community is like a large family that has a sense of camaraderie and gives everyone a feeling of safety and warmth, which is what makes Darlington so special.