Darlington School is pleased to announce that Matthew Peer will assume the role of director of student life, effective July 1.
“I’m personally excited about Matt joining the team,” said James Milford, assistant headmaster and director of admission. “He has great experience in schools that strike the right balance between resident and day populations. I see Matt as the finishing touch to an already robust student life staff that makes it their business to see that our students succeed and reach their potential while honoring the ideals of Darlington.”
As director of student life, Peer will assist Upper School Director Gordon Hight (’94) with the day-to-day affairs of that division by ensuring that consistency and cooperation are present in the enforcement of discipline, the shaping of positive behavior, the promotion of honor, and the cultivation of leadership. His primary responsibility will be to provide and communicate a set of expectations that will help students mature and become responsible and productive members of the community. He will work closely with Deans of Students Matthew Jones (’99) and Tim McCann in this endeavor. Peer will serve as the focal point of the discipline, counseling and wellness systems in addition to being a resource for students, faculty and parents. He will also oversee and support all matters relating to the residential community, and will support and lead the heads of house in their residential and related student life duties.
“Being involved in independent schools is both rewarding and special,” Peer said. “Educators and administrators have the unique opportunity to work with students in a variety of settings; and often, the most important teaching we do is outside of the classroom. In order to fulfill Darlington’s mission statement, we must stress the importance of preparing students who are not only academically capable, but students who are of sound mind and character. We must show compassion, kindness, courage and an unwavering commitment to be the very best in all that we do so our students can become the best possible people.”
Peer holds a B.A. in Sociology from St. Lawrence University (N.Y.) and an M.A. in Liberal Studies with a focus on Social Sciences from Wesleyan University (Ct.) He has nine years of experience teaching and coaching at the high school and middle school levels, and has held multiple roles associated with student life. Peer comes to Darlington from Avon Old Farms School in Avon, Ct., where he was named the 2008 Fanning Faculty Award Winner. He currently serves as assistant dean of students, which includes heading up the student job program and coordinating social activities. He is also a dormitory headmaster, academic adviser, and teaches history to students in grades 9-12. In addition, last summer he served as academic director of Tabor Academy’s Summer Program in Marion, Mass.
“When I first stepped onto Darlington’s campus in early February, I immediately felt like I was home – not because of the absolutely beautiful architecture, but because of the way I was welcomed by the heads of house, students, faculty and administration,” Peer said. “At Avon Old Farms, where I have lived, taught and raised my family for the past seven years, we pride ourselves on our community – which, I thought, was by far the greatest I could ever hope to be a part of. However, I immediately realized that what I experienced at Darlington was more than community, it was a family.
“The pride, care, compassion and commitment shown toward the student body by everyone who works at Darlington made me yearn to become part of something so special,” he continued. “When my wife and I returned to campus last week, we were certain that Darlington was the place we wanted to watch our children grow. Even though my new role as the director of student life does not officially start until July, I cannot wait to begin working with Mr. Whitworth, Mr. Hight, Mr. Milford, Mr. Powell, Mr. Jones, Mr. McCann and the heads of house to help create an environment that is special and make sure that every student feels supported by the school. Leaving Avon Old Farms is going to be one of the most difficult experiences of my life, but knowing that I will be embarking on a new journey will be so much easier because we already feel like we are part of the Darlington family.”
Peer will live on campus with his wife, Jessica, and their children Jackson, 3, and Ella, 11 months.
