How Many of Our Alumni are Educators?

This year I had the privilege of having two former students, Lee Hark ('89) and Alex Fitzner ('97), as colleagues at the AP English grading in Louisville, Kentucky. We had dinner together on Monday June 14--a very pleasant time of catching up. As a teacher, it is always gratifying to see former students succeed, but these two bright and talented young men are professionals in my own discipline. This was a terrific opportunity to see what is going on in the field through fresh eyes.

 

They present an interesting contrast as educators. Lee is in his third year as Upper School Division Head at Durham Academy in Durham, North Carolina, whereas Alex is in his second year at Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville, Tennessee. Their constituencies couldn't be more different, but both are strongly committed to the people they serve.

 

Our discussion about education in general was fascinating in its wide ranging subjects and varying points of view, but we all had Darlington in common. They both remember Darlington as a supportive community. Lee remembers Darlington, both as student and employee, as a place where "everyone rolled his sleeves up" and pitched in to get things done. Alex spoke especially of his English classes and wrestling coach Steve Killian, who taught him many life lessons. Both felt empowered and well launched from our school.

 

I wish I could spend that kind of time with all of our alums in education, because it would greatly help in measuring our effectiveness as an institution of learning. I wonder how many of our alumni are in education? What percentages of private, public, classroom or administrator exist? How does your experience at Darlington follow you into the classroom, or in any other work with students? I invite all of you alums in education to share with us.