The quality of our faculty and staff is critical to our success at Doane Academy. We make changes and take advantage of changes year to year with the goal of strengthening our performance in service to our college preparatory mission and to the best interest of each student. Here are the changes in personnel we have made to date:

In order to take full advantage of being a Prek-12 school and in response to our recent Middle States evaluation, we are restructuring our administration team to better organize, implement and track our progress on the two essentials of our school mission. Dr. McCormick will continue with her biology courses, but will work under Mr. Sadar as the Academic Dean, overseeing our whole academic program Prek-12, with special emphasis next year on math/science, language arts/writing and world languages.

Coach Dan Williamson will be Dr. McCormick's complement, focusing on the character and leadership side of our mission Prek-12. He will, of course, continue his coaching responsibilities, teach an Upper School leadership class and physical education 5-8. We've learned a great deal about what works over the last 5-6 years. By design, it has been trial and error. Now it's time to study the schools where leadership and character are distinguishing characteristics. We're pleased and grateful to all of our students and parents who have embraced the importance of this facet of Doane's mission.

Our grade level Deans will continue to advise, coordinate, mentor and support students and faculty. Chris Harris (Prek-3), Marsha Silcox (4-8), and Dr. James Paradis (9-12). They will work closely in support of Dr. McCormick and Mr. Williamson to deliver the program and culture where "every student is known, loved and strongly encouraged to realize their full potential."

Ms. Danielle Costa is off to Oxford for a Master's degree next year. She has been an excellent U.S. English teacher, Doane's founding coach in terms of competitive crew and an important contributor to the culture and spirit of Doane. We have had nearly 70 people apply for this position. We are interviewing with hopes of finalizing Danielle's replacement by mid July. Mr. Tim Henderson, our assistant crew coach, is stepping up to the head coach position. His credential includes captain of the men's crew program at Bates College.

Matt DeBarger will not be returning as a faculty member this fall, but he will be following, with great interest, the seniors for whom he was class advisor these last 5 years. Matt was a solid member of our instructional team. We appreciate his volunteer work in support of indoor soccer and Doane's Dungeon.

Mr. DeBarger's course work and the math/science responsibilities that had been Michael Polhemus' through most of last year will be in the energetic hands of two new members of our math/science department. John Walters is a recent graduate from Princeton University. His actual degree is in Philosophy and Theology, but his math skills and passion for teaching math have earned him highest honors on the Praxis exam. John is the oldest of 5 boys. One brother is a U.S. soldier serving in Afghanistan. The other three are in Greece with his parents. John's parents are well traveled missionaries. He was born in Bangladesh. In addition to teaching math/science next year, John is very pleased with the opportunity to teach some elective courses like "Philosophy of Religion."

After graduating from the University of Rochester, Michael Russell put his mechanical engineering degree to work in the Texas oil fields for a few years. His second career in teaching and coaching was inspired by his best teachers at Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida and his Resident Advisor work in college. His math/science coursework in college is complemented by minors in English Literature and creative writing. We don't have Mr. Russell's course load assigned, but in addition to his math/science responsibilities he will be advisor to the literary magazine and assistant coach in cross country or basketball.

We will be reinstating programs and staff in support of the Lower School Discovery classes Prek-12 and the Katherine Potts Library. Bonnie Smith comes to Doane Academy from 25+ years at Haddonfield Friends School, where she taught several lower school grades and most recently was responsible for a comprehensive natural sciences program PreK-8. She also recently shared responsibility for the library at Friends School of Westampton. In addition to Discovery and the KPL, Ms. Smith will team teach 7^th grade life science with Dr. McCormick and lead a whole new Natural/Life/Environmental Science initiative PreK-12 (Burlington Island, Bennett Farm, RRW, etc).

Marie Darling will not be returning from maternity leave to teach Lower School art. We understand and fully support her commitment to family. We have some excellent candidates to consider for this position. It may be full time if a candidate has the writing and computer/graphic skills to help us with communications/public relations.

Given single sections at all the Lower School grades, we've assigned Julie Wootton to 2^nd grade. She has taught every grade level 1-5 in her time at Doane. It has required a major stretch, adjustment and preparation each year. She has clearly earned and is highly qualified for the 2^nd grade teacher position next year. The hardest part of the transition for Doane has been coming to terms with the fact that, at least for now, we do not have a teaching position for Ms. Jeanette Siminski. Sharis Swartley has left her Catapult tutoring, which opens up some part time for Ms. Jeanette. We will continue to explore every option whereby we can retain Ms. Jeanette through to 2011-12, when it is likely we will again need her. She has been an excellent teacher and child development strategist for us. We deeply respect and appreciate her work.

We're pleased to add Warren Wenger to our list of part time salaried faculty members. He will provide lessons for +/- 14 string or piano students and will direct a string ensemble. FYI, all students who receive private lessons as part of their tuition must hold up their end in terms of a serious commitment to practice. We expect there will be a waiting list of others who would welcome the opportunity.

Mr. Ron Bennett, founding band director and music department chair, is retiring after10 years of service. He plans to stay involved as time and energy permit, teaching some lessons, coaching some public speaking and sharing his beautiful Bennett farm with our natural science and Discovery classes. We are pleased to announce that a very respected veteran band director from Florence High School has opted for early retirement from public education. Adrienne Mazar is a longtime friend and colleague of Mr. Bennett. Her support and participation as a member of the band at Mr. Bennett's farewell concert and at graduation gave her some first hand experience with her new responsibilities. Mrs. Mazar will be full time with band, instrumental music lessons, pep band, jazz band, some expansion of Lower School music or other additions to our music program.