Darlington launches exchange program with German school
May 5, 2010
Thirteen students and three faculty members will travel to Dusseldorf, Germany, at the end of the month, marking the first-ever cultural exchange between Darlington School and St. Ursula Gymnasium. In October, 13 German students will visit Darlington.
English teacher Mitchell Maddox will be a presenter at the 54th Annual Conference of the Comparative and International Education Society March 1-5 in Chicago.
Nine of the presentations on the docket for the Georgia Independent Schools Association’s annual conference will be led by Darlington faculty and staff members. The conference will be hosted Nov. 1-2 at Darlington.<br /><br />
Counselors Jill Pate and Chris Allen will lead a session titled “One School’s Response to Tragic Loss: Lessons Learned,” focusing on how Darlington coped with the loss of five students and two parents during a nine-month period in 2009.<br /><br />
Beth Wilson, chairperson of the English department, and Melinda Holmes, director of library services, will lead a session titled “Summer Reading: A Student-Centered Approach.” It will focus on Darlington’s unique approach to summer reading, which engenders buy-in, crosses boundaries between the English department and other disciplines and assesses reading based on what really matters – student engagement with literature.<br /><br />
Gordon Hight (’94), director of Upper School, will lead a session titled “Backwards Design: Planning and Assessment,” which aims to help teachers balance the enormous amount of material they need to cover in class with the specific information they want their students to understand and retain. He will focus on identifying the essential understandings and developing lesson plans and assessments that evaluate this knowledge.<br /><br />
Debra Myrick, chairperson of the math department, will lead a session titled “Sketchpad for All,” focusing on the use of the Geometer’s Sketchpad and ways that the teacher can use this tool to save time, increase student interest and participation, and provide depth of understanding.<br /><br />
Julia Dodd, chemistry teacher, will lead a session titled “Teaching Introductory Organic Chemistry to Seniors,” in which she will discuss the benefits of bridging the gap between high school chemistry during the sophomore year and college organic chemistry. Her presentation will include course prerequisites, selection of textbooks, course organization and information about laboratory activities.<br /><br />
Mitchell Maddox, English teacher, will lead a session titled “Writing a New Experience,” in which he will discuss the ways people have used writing to understand the world and how teachers can pass those skills along to their students.<br /><br />
Rob Hall, reading specialist, will lead a session titled, “Reading Specialists: A Paradigm Shift from Tutor to School-Wide Literacy Improvement.” He will focus on the expanding and ever-changing world of literacy and the role of the reading specialist – to integrate a comprehensive K-12 literacy program by developing programs, assessing struggling and advanced students, evaluating programming, and providing inexpensive professional development on site.<br /><br />
Craig Schmidt, chairman of the history department, and history teachers Brian Inman and Bailey Duncan (’98) will lead a session titled “Making History Interesting: Incorporating Technology in the History Classroom.” They will specifically look at the use of YouTube, Google Earth, Sketchup 7, OneNote, online forums and assessments and other programs that help bring learning to life.<br /><br />
Joe Montgomery, chief advancement officer, and Julie Lucas (’97), regional director of the Second Century Campaign, will lead a session titled “Executing a Successful Capital Campaign,” which will focus on planning and implementation as well as how to work with different constituents of the school community.
Teacher takes exotic journey into Turkish music scene
August 3, 2009
For two weeks in June, Mitchell Maddox experienced the cultural and financial center of Turkey, a city of 12 million residents, known for its Byzantine history, magnificent mosque, exotic traditions and colorful markets. But Maddox was there for the music. The Darlington English teacher was on assignment for National Geographic Music. He was there to blog about the rich music scene in one the of the most exotic cities in the world.
Each year, English teacher Mitchell Maddox makes a modest donation to a small, English language school in Siem Reap, Cambodia, to fund its operation for one month. <br /><br />
“I met a young man named Savong Svay three years ago while backpacking in Cambodia,” Maddox said. “I was in Siem Reap to see the famous Angkor temples, and he asked me if I would like to come to his school to help him teach for a day or two. I did, and the rest is history.” <br /><br />
Founded and built by Svay, Savong School offers local villagers a way out of poverty through education. It is the only school of its type in Cambodia, and it has grown from a handful of students in 2004 when it was built to more than 400 today.<br /><br />
“About 30 years ago, the Khmer Rouge executed nearly 2 million people in Cambodia, including the majority of educators. This left Cambodia without teachers for a generation,” Maddox said. “Recently, a state-sponsored education has reemerged, but due to graft and general corruption, certificates of completion seem to go to the wealthiest students. At Savong School, free education for villagers means equal opportunities for young and old. With no money changing hands, the school can ensure that each student is assessed according to his or her abilities. The school is a model for both Cambodia and the developing world.”<br /><br />
Maddox’s annual donation to Savong School pays for school supplies, teacher salaries, food, cleaning costs, general maintenance and fuel for the generator (as there are no central utilities available). When he started supporting the school in 2006, the cost of operating the school for one month was $350. Today, inflation has increased the cost to $850.<br /><br />
This year, Maddox’s advisee group got involved in his fund-raising effort. They raised $215 for Savong School, and Maddox provided $615. Together, their donation funded the cost of a motorbike to transport teachers to and from the school, and they are already looking forward to sponsoring another fundraiser for the school after Spring Break.<br /><br />
"This was a unique servant leadership opportunity because we have a connection to the people being helped," said sophomore Emily Grizzard. "Mr. Maddox told us all about how he met Mr. Savong and visited his school. It's nice to know that by doing something as small as selling some chicken biscuits in the Cove we were able to buy a motorbike for a man who built his own school to help children get a better education." <br /><br />
<a href="http://www.savong.com">Click here</a> or e-mail <a href="mailto:mmaddox@darlingtonschool.org">Mitchell Maddox</a> to learn more about Savong School.
In March of 2007, Darlington School's Parents’ Association awarded Faculty Development Grants to 10 deserving faculty members. Grants ranged up to $2,000.<br /><br />
Each year, teaching faculty who have made a commitment to return to Darlington in the fall are invited to apply for Faculty Development Grants funded by the school’s Parents’ Association. This program is designed to enhance faculty effectiveness in the classroom, in campus activities and in the community; to encourage faculty to plan creatively for their own continuing professional development; to provide an incentive to aid in the retention of excellent faculty; and to involve department chairs in enhancing the faculty members’ enthusiasm in their particular area of education and involvement.<br /><br />
Several faculty members, like Joe Pieroni and Ivy Brewer, used their grants to attend educational seminars in preparation for the 2008-09 school year. Pieroni, who teaches Algebra II and Pre-Calculus, attended the week-long Anja S. Greer Conference on Secondary School Mathematics, Science and Technology at Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, N.H. “I took a class that focused on Geometer’s sketchpad and a new calculator, the TI-CAS Nspire,” he said. “I learned a great deal about these two technologies and hope to integrate parts of them into my classes this coming year.”<br /><br />
Brewer, associate dean of college guidance, is using her grant to take part in the Western Association for College Admission Counseling’s Summer Counselors’ Tour in Northern California, through which she will visit 15 colleges and universities and participate in several admission workshops. “Darlington’s international population historically has shown particular interest in the west coast colleges and universities, so the information I learn will be especially useful to these students in their college search,” she said. “It is vital for me to be knowledgeable about different institutions so that I may help our students find the school that is the right fit for them. Visiting different campuses provides me with the opportunity not only to learn facts about the schools, but also to get a feel for them and the types of students who would be successful there. Upon completion of this tour, I will have visited over 100 colleges and universities across the country. The Parents’ Association commits to the idea that together we – the members of the Darlington Community – must continue to learn and to challenge ourselves as a means to intellectual growth for the community as a whole.”<br /><br />
Bailey Duncan (’98), who teaches Ancient World History and Modern World History, used his grant to take an ASSIST trip to Prague, Czech Republic. “I learned a great deal about the history and culture of the Czech Republic and was fortunate to connect with 15 other boarding school teachers from across the United States,” he said. “Especially moving were the trips to the World War II concentration camp at Terezin and the former village of Lidice, which was decimated by Nazi aggression during the war… I would like to thank the Parents’ Association for helping make this trip possible. I have now experienced England, Scotland and the Czech Republic thanks, in part, to them. Such firsthand experience has helped tremendously in the classroom, providing me anecdotes and stories to make the class material even richer.”<br /><br />
Others, like James Hutchins and Angela Pieroni, use their grants to further their education. Hutchins, dean of studies at the Middle School, has used his grants to aid in paying tuition for his coursework at the University of Alabama, where he is finishing up his doctorate. Pieroni, a Middle School science teacher, has just started on her master’s in curriculum, instruction and assessment.<br /><br />
“If you’re not learning, you’re not growing,” Hutchins said. “Every member of an organization should continue to develop his or her craft. If you don’t, you can rest assure another organization is not far behind. I would like to thank the Parents’ Association for helping my dream come true. Without this financial assistance, I don’t know whether it would have been possible.”<br /><br />
Other Darlington faculty members who received grants for use this year include Reba Barnes, Will Camp, Gwen Gibbes, Chris Holloway and Mitchell Maddox.
Darlington School announces the following faculty and staff changes and additions for the 2007-08 school year:<br /><br />
<b>Margaret Alexander</b> will teach Middle School Spanish. She holds a Bachelor of Science from George Mason University (Va.) and a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instructional Systems Design from the University of Northern Colorado. She also completed additional studies at the University of Virginia and George Washington University. Alexander has experience in school administration, special education K-12, vocational adaptations and human relations. For the past six years, she has served as a tutor and long-term substitute for Spanish at Darlington.<br /><br />
<b>Julie Allen</b> will serve as a teacher’s aide for pre-kindergarten. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services from Carson-Newman College. Allen has been a member of Darlington’s house duty staff since August of 2006. Most recently, she taught at Rome First School and served as director of childcare for Celebrate Recovery, the recovery program of Rome First United Methodist Church.<br /><br />
<b>Jennifer Amobi</b> will teach Lower School Spanish. She holds a bachelor's degree in Spanish from Auburn University. Most recently, she coached volleyball, junior varsity basketball, and track and field at Lee Scott Academy in Auburn, where she also taught fitness and P.E. <br /><br />
<b>Rex Bowman</b> has been named assistant director of Darlington School Soccer Academy. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Berry College and is a USSF "B" Soccer Coach License holder. Most recently, Bowman taught science at Donelson Christian Academy, where he also coached soccer and wrestling. He served as assistant men's soccer coach at Berry College, has coached and directed several soccer camps, and continues to work with the Tennessee Olympic Development Program. In 2006, Bowman was named Tennessee Coach of the Year, NSCAA Div. II.<br /><br />
<b>Ivy Brewer</b> will serve as associate dean of college guidance. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Georgia and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Florida Gulf Coast University. She is currently pursuing a Graduation Certificate in College Counseling from University of California Extension, Los Angeles. Brewer is a member of both the National Association for College Admission Counseling and the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling. Previously, she served as assistant college counselor and special events coordinator at Seacrest Country Day School in Naples, Fla.<br /><br />
<b>Jennifer Butler</b> will teach Middle School math. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Shorter College and worked previously as a seventh-grade math teacher at Cedartown Middle School. <br /><br />
<b>Shari Cannon</b> will serve as teacher’s aide for second grade. She holds an associate’s degree from Coosa Valley Technical College and has been employed at Darlington for nine years. Most recently, she was a teacher’s aide for pre-kindergarten. She is also the director of Camp Darlington.<br /><br />
<b>Lenore Cooke</b> will teach Upper School Spanish. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from The University of the South, Sewanee, and has studied abroad in Madrid, Spain.<br /><br />
<b>Bethany Creswell</b> will teach Upper School English. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Davidson College and a Master of Arts in English from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Previously, she taught junior and senior English, was a freshman adviser, and served as yearbook adviser at Lakeview Academy in Gainesville, Ga. She also works as a freelance writer and graphic designer.<br /><br />
<b>Robert Hall</b> will serve as a reading specialist in the Learning Center. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Jacksonville State University, a Master of Science in Education from Berry College, and Reading Endorsement Trainer Certification. He is currently working on a Doctor of Philosophy from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minn. Previously, Hall taught at Model High School, Northwest Georgia RESA and Coosa Middle School.<br /><br />
<b>Doug Hamil</b> will serve as director of graphic design. He holds an associates degree in visual communication from the Art Institute of Atlanta, and has over 20 years of professional experience in nearly all aspects of graphic arts including advertising, collateral, logos, publications, Internet and multimedia design. He is also an accomplished illustrator. For the past 10 years, Hamil has owned and operated Doug Hamil Advertising Inc. in Rome.<br /><br />
<b>Kent Harrison (’01)</b> will serve as assistant director of admission. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the State University of West Georgia. Most recently, Harrison was a member of Darlington’s house duty staff and taught math at Rockmart Middle School. He has held coaching positions in Polk County, Heard County and Paulding County and has served as a counselor at Camp Darlington.<br /><br />
<b>Jennifer Helbing (’98)</b> will teach pre-K. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Georgia and a Master of Education from Georgia State University, where she focused on students with multiple and severe disabilities. Previously, she taught special needs kindergarten at Timber Ridge Elementary School in Marietta, Ga.<br /><br />
<b>Josh Hembree</b> will teach Upper School math and coach girls' varsity basketball. He holds a bachelor’s degree in math and a master’s in secondary education from Berry College, where he played varsity basketball as an undergraduate. He has five years of experience as an assistant coach at Berry College and Model High School, and has been an instructor at numerous basketball camps in Georgia and Alabama. Hembree has taught math at Berry College Middle School and Model High School, and is certified to teach AP courses. He is currently working on an Ed.D. in Leadership from Walden University. <br /><br />
<b>Lauren Hunt</b> will teach Upper School English. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Duke University. At Duke, she served as president of the Project Child Executive Board, learning assistant for Residential Life and Housing Services, and Academic Affairs Committee chairperson for the Black Student Alliance.<br /><br />
<b>Stormy Johnson</b> will serve as director of admission. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt University and has served Darlington since 2005 as associate director of admission for boarding. Previously, Johnson served as associate director of admission at Oglethorpe University and assistant director of admission and coordinator of multicultural recruitment at both Agnes Scott College and Vanderbilt University. <br /><br />
<b>Mitchell Maddox</b> will teach Upper School English. He is certified to teach high school English in the state of Georgia and holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville. Previously, he taught junior and senior English at Hidden Lake Academy in Dahlonega, Ga. He also works as a freelance writer.<br /><br />
<b>Wendy Payne</b> will serve as library assistant at the Upper School. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Shorter College. Payne has worked at Darlington since September 2001, most recently as a pre-K teacher's assistant.<br /><br />
<b>Andrea Puckett</b> will teach Lower and Middle School French. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in French from the University of West Georgia and is currently seeking an M.A.T. in French from Middle Tennessee State University. <br /><br />
<b>Keith Raker</b> will serve as director of facilities services. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Most recently, Raker was director of buildings and grounds for Clark County Schools in Winchester, Ky., through Sodexho Marriott's Education Group Services division.<br /><br />
<b>Mary Hight Sawhill (’96)</b> will serve as planned gifts officer. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee University and has seven years of experience in fundraising and development. Most recently, Sawhill served as planned gifts associate for the Shepherd Center Foundation in Atlanta. She is a member of the Georgia Planned Giving Council and Washington and Lee University’s Atlanta Alumni Board.<br /><br />
<b>Cindy Stinson</b> will teach fourth grade. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, a teaching certificate from Berry College, and two master’s degrees from the University of West Georgia. Stinson has taught school for a total of 14 years, 12 of which were spent in the Floyd County School System. Most recently, she has served as second-grade aide since July 2005. <br /><br />
<b>Pamela Sullins</b> will serve as Middle School administrative assistant. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University and has 14 years of teaching experience in marketing and cooperative education. For the past several years, she has been an active volunteer at St. Mary’s School in Rome.<br /><br />
<b>Jennifer Talley</b> will serve as kindergarten teacher’s aide. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Texas Tech University, and served most recently as library aide at Darlington’s Upper School. Talley has also worked as a substitute teacher at St. Mary's School in Rome and a pre-K teacher at Rome First School. <br /><br />
<b>Tami Wilcox</b> will teach second. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Shorter College and has taught pre-K at the Lower School since 2004.<br /><br />
<b>Carrie Wilson</b> will teach Middle School Spanish. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Shorter College and is currently seeking her master's from the same institution. Most recently, Wilson was an annuity customer service representative at Legacy Marketing Group. She also served as an ESOL intern at West End Elementary School in 2005.<br /><br />
<b>Jennifer Zickafoose</b> has been named human resources manager. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the State University of West Georgia and has over 14 years of experience in human resources, staffing, employee relations and customer service.<br /><br />
<b>Casey Zimmer</b> will teach Upper School English and serve as director of financial aid. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University and a Master of Education from Berry College. Zimmer has held a variety of leadership positions since his arrival at Darlington in 1997, including head of house and director of admission.<br /><br />
Darlington School is currently accepting applications for the following positions: associate librarian, capital gifts officer, executive assistant to the chief advancement officer, and Student Health Center nurse. For information, <a href="/employment">click here</a>. New faculty/staff bios will be posted on the Web site as they are hired.<br /><br />
