Jim Van Es announced today that he will step down as director of Middle School in July, and will teach math full time, coach basketball and serve as the Middle School athletic director in 2010-11. Dr. James Hutchins, who currently serves as associate director of Middle School, will become director.
“I want you to know that the Middle School will be in good hands with my successor,” Van Es said in a letter to the Darlington Community. “He is absolutely the best candidate for the position, and I can tell you from my experience working with him for the past eight years that he is exactly what we need as we seek to become the best independent school in the Southeast and beyond. This new role is a natural progression for James, who will help us move closer to our goal of being a student-centered institution that prepares its students for the 21st Century by teaching them to think both critically and creatively.”
Van Es has dedicated more than four decades of his life to Darlington – specifically, to the Middle School. He played a major role in creating the classic culture of the Middle School that alumni remember so fondly, and was instrumental in helping Darlington secure the necessary funding for its beautiful new Middle School facility that opened in August. As a longtime basketball coach, he has led 12 teams to the state tournament and one to the Final Four. He has also been inducted into the Rome-Floyd County Sports Hall of Fame and is a two-time Northwest Georgia Coach of the Year.
“When we speak of Darlington's core values – Wisdom, Service and Honor – there is no better representation of those values than Jim Van Es,” said Headmaster Tom Whitworth. “When I visit with alumni who attended Darlington as day students, they almost always reference the profound influence ‘Mr. Van Es’ had on their lives. Darlington School has been lucky to have someone like Jim at its helm for so long. We value him as an educator, a coach and most importantly, a transformer of lives. I have no doubt that James will benefit greatly from Jim's support and guidance, but our Middle School families will be the true beneficiaries of this incredible team of educators.”
Hutchins has taught science at Darlington since 2002, and has served as both Middle School dean of studies and now as associate director. He holds a B.S. from Shorter College, an M.S. from Jacksonville State University, and an Ed.S. and Ed.D. from the University of Alabama. He has been recognized by both his peers and by Middle School parents as an outstanding faculty member through various awards and commendations.
“James is willing and able to tackle new challenges, he is dedicated to building parent partnerships through communication and trust, and he is fully committed to further developing a Middle School culture that is open minded yet emotionally and physically safe,” Van Es said. “For the past two years, he has taken the necessary steps to bring our Middle School program to a whole new level academically, which include developing grade-level teams to further support each and every student; instituting cross-curricular studies; implementing a hands-on science initiative; and working closely with Academic Dean David Powell to develop a new schedule and fluent curriculum across the board. Most importantly, he is an outstanding teacher who is clearly in tune with the needs of adolescents. Much like myself, James makes it his personal goal to see every Darlington student succeed at the Middle School and in life.”
Van Es added that he is grateful for the 42 years he has had at Darlington, and said he looks forward to being a part of its future for many more years. “I love this wonderful school, and I hope you will join me in giving Darlington and James Hutchins your full support,” he said. “I wouldn’t wish anything less.”
