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Darlington names new Lower School principal
Feb 8, 2006 4:00 PM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Darlington School is pleased to announce that Dr. Steve Bartholomew has been named Lower School principal, effective July 1, 2006.
“We are thrilled that Steve and his wife, Dolores, will be joining our team,” said Headmaster Tom Whitworth. “The Bartholomews will relocate to Rome in early June, and will quickly become an integral part of our community.”
Bartholomew holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Massachusetts, a Master of Science in Science Education from Western Connecticut State University, a Master of Science in Administration and Supervision from Nova Southeastern University (Fla.) and a Doctorate in Education with a concentration in Child and Youth Studies, also from Nova Southeastern University.
He has served as head of school at The Day School at Coral Springs in Coral Springs, Fla., since 2002, and also works as an adjunct professor in Nova Southeastern University’s GTEP Program. Prior to his time in Coral Springs, Bartholomew spent 23 years at St. Michael’s Independent School in Stuart, Fla., holding various positions including head of school, assistant headmaster and director of development, middle school head, and science teacher. He has also taught in Warsaw, Poland, and served in the Peace Corps in Ghana, West Africa.
“My wife and I are so excited about coming to Darlington School,” said Bartholomew. “We feel blessed and honored that this opportunity is now a reality, and we deeply believe that this school will be a great fit for us as well as a wonderful place to make our home.”
According to Whitworth, everyone – from administrators to faculty and parents – agrees that Bartholomew’s vision, his energy, his depth and breadth of knowledge around elementary curriculum, and his love for both children and teachers are unparalleled.
“Communication plays a large and important role in being an effective leader,” said Bartholomew. “The vision for the institution must be communicated and must be modeled. However, an effective leader cannot do it alone. Teachers and support personnel, as stakeholders, must have autonomy in the decision-making process. Many share ownership in the institution and the value system.
“I always tell my staff that their success is my success and I truly believe that helps them believe in themselves,” he continued. “It gives them confidence to take risks and be their best each and every day. Empowerment for teachers can have many meanings, but true empowerment comes from a positive self-esteem, open lines of communication, and knowledge that excellence is a way of life and success is the product of effort, good habits and self-motivation.”
Candidates for the Lower School principal’s position were evaluated by a search committee comprised of Chairperson and second-grade teacher Elaine Smith, fifth-grade teacher Bebe Cline, Lower School P.E. teacher Theresa Dulaney and parents Ann Wilhoite and Dr. Carl Herring.
“The search committee did a fantastic job,” said Whitworth. “Elaine Smith designed and managed the entire process, met every deadline, got us the best possible candidates, and took a thorough look at 25 to 30 top-notch candidates. Steve was the committee’s unanimous choice.”
According to Dulaney, committee members are confident that Dr. Bartholomew is committed to achieving the highest of standards as established by Darlington’s mission and philosophy. “Dr. Bartholomew was very friendly, enthusiastic and creative during our time together,” she said. “We feel that he will be able to take an already outstanding school to the next level.”
“We are thrilled that Steve and his wife, Dolores, will be joining our team,” said Headmaster Tom Whitworth. “The Bartholomews will relocate to Rome in early June, and will quickly become an integral part of our community.”
Bartholomew holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Massachusetts, a Master of Science in Science Education from Western Connecticut State University, a Master of Science in Administration and Supervision from Nova Southeastern University (Fla.) and a Doctorate in Education with a concentration in Child and Youth Studies, also from Nova Southeastern University.
He has served as head of school at The Day School at Coral Springs in Coral Springs, Fla., since 2002, and also works as an adjunct professor in Nova Southeastern University’s GTEP Program. Prior to his time in Coral Springs, Bartholomew spent 23 years at St. Michael’s Independent School in Stuart, Fla., holding various positions including head of school, assistant headmaster and director of development, middle school head, and science teacher. He has also taught in Warsaw, Poland, and served in the Peace Corps in Ghana, West Africa.
“My wife and I are so excited about coming to Darlington School,” said Bartholomew. “We feel blessed and honored that this opportunity is now a reality, and we deeply believe that this school will be a great fit for us as well as a wonderful place to make our home.”
According to Whitworth, everyone – from administrators to faculty and parents – agrees that Bartholomew’s vision, his energy, his depth and breadth of knowledge around elementary curriculum, and his love for both children and teachers are unparalleled.
“Communication plays a large and important role in being an effective leader,” said Bartholomew. “The vision for the institution must be communicated and must be modeled. However, an effective leader cannot do it alone. Teachers and support personnel, as stakeholders, must have autonomy in the decision-making process. Many share ownership in the institution and the value system.
“I always tell my staff that their success is my success and I truly believe that helps them believe in themselves,” he continued. “It gives them confidence to take risks and be their best each and every day. Empowerment for teachers can have many meanings, but true empowerment comes from a positive self-esteem, open lines of communication, and knowledge that excellence is a way of life and success is the product of effort, good habits and self-motivation.”
Candidates for the Lower School principal’s position were evaluated by a search committee comprised of Chairperson and second-grade teacher Elaine Smith, fifth-grade teacher Bebe Cline, Lower School P.E. teacher Theresa Dulaney and parents Ann Wilhoite and Dr. Carl Herring.
“The search committee did a fantastic job,” said Whitworth. “Elaine Smith designed and managed the entire process, met every deadline, got us the best possible candidates, and took a thorough look at 25 to 30 top-notch candidates. Steve was the committee’s unanimous choice.”
According to Dulaney, committee members are confident that Dr. Bartholomew is committed to achieving the highest of standards as established by Darlington’s mission and philosophy. “Dr. Bartholomew was very friendly, enthusiastic and creative during our time together,” she said. “We feel that he will be able to take an already outstanding school to the next level.”
