David Powell, academic dean, will retire this summer after 35 years of service to Darlington School, announced Head of School Brent Bell today.
"David has had a rich career at Darlington and, to this day, remains a favorite teacher of our senior students," Bell said. "I am grateful to for his dedication to our students and to his support of me during this period of transition."
Powell has been a member of Darlington’s faculty since 1981. During his tenure, he has taught a variety of English courses and held the distinguished title of Thatcher Chair of English from 1992 until he was named academic dean in 2009. He has also taught Bible, Psychology and Theater, and directed the school's theater productions from 1981 until 2005.
Powell has received numerous honors and awards for his work with students.
"I get great pleasure from watching a student who never thought of himself as a scholar get excited about an idea, or a student who thought herself below average discover she just did something smart, or an athlete or artist get a fire in the belly to do his or her best," Powell said. "As a teacher, I work at finding the accessible challenge, the task which is just over the student's head, but within reach of a stretch. A teacher works at creating a climate in which students feel safe making such a reach.
"When students discover they can do things they didn't know they could do, they take a step toward intellectual independence," he continued. "Developing this independence should be an educator's goal -- to encourage students to think for and challenge themselves."
Powell holds a B.A. from Berry College, an M.Div. from Emory University and an M.A. from Middlebury College. He and his wife, Katherine, are the parents of Daniel ('08) and current Darlington eighth-grader Nick.
Bell added that there are no plans to fill the academic dean position at this time.
"The school is in the process of determining the best steps forward as we revise our daily schedule and continue our strategic planning work," he said. "Please join me in congratulating David on his retirement from Darlington!"
