New Faculty/Staff 2014-2015

welcomes new faculty and staff

2014–2015

ST. MARK’S school of texas

I am pleased to introduce the newest members of the St. Mark’s School of Texas Faculty and Staff. Not only are they an incredibly talented, interesting, and experienced group of educators, but they are also caring people who we know will make important contributions to the character of our community. The most important and treasured resource we have at St. Mark’s is our people. The teachers who guide and mentor our boys define the quality and strength of the St. Mark’s experience. Our faculty members are leaders in their fields, lifelong learners, and devoted teachers who care deeply about the boys in their charge. In this my twenty-first year at St. Mark’s, I am honored to serve alongside so many gifted professionals who are devoted to educating boys and young men who will shape the future. Please join me in welcoming the most recent additions to

the St. Mark’s family.

David W. Dini

Eugene McDermott Headmaster

Rev. Douglas Carter | Interim Chaplain

Chaplain Carter graduated Cum Laude from Millsaps College and earned a master’s degree from Virginia Theological Seminary. He recently retired from Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, Florida, where he served as Chaplain for fourteen years. At Berkeley, Doug was responsible for restarting a comprehensive religious studies program. He has had an extensive career in education and has lived all over the world, including time as Rector at Episcopal parishes in Miami Springs, Florida, and Mexico City, Mexico. Besides serving as Interim Chaplain, Doug will also teach 9th grade World History.

Paul Di Vincenzo | Chief Technology Officer

Paul holds a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a master’s degree from St. John’s University. After graduating, Paul spent almost twenty years working as a Director of IT in the health care industry. Paul is already hard at work as St. Mark’s Chief Technology Officer and is responsible for technology support, classroom technology, audio/visual systems, and computer science education.

Francis Donald ’03 | US Lacrosse Coach, Admission Officer

Francis holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Nazareth College (NY), where he was a standout lacrosse player. He also served as an assistant lacrosse coach, with major responsibility for recruiting, and Director of Intramural Sports at Nazareth. Before returning to St. Mark’s, Francis was Director of Operations for Iron Horse Lacrosse and program director for the Flower Mound Lacrosse Association. His duties at St. Mark’s also include coaching in the football program and assisting with the alumni relations program.

Alex Eshelbrenner ’04 | Director of Alumni Relations

After graduating from St. Mark’s, Alex earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Kansas. Alex has served as a scouting department intern for the Dallas Cowboys and as an athlete manager for Schlegel Woy Management. In 2009, Alex joined the AT&T Performing Arts Center, where he most recently served as Senior Development Manager, Corporate Gifts.

Dr. Bonnie Fairbanks | Upper School Science Instructor

Bonnie earned her bachelor’s degree from Rice University, her master’s from Auburn University, and her doctorate from Virginia Tech. She has served as a graduate teaching assistant at Auburn and Virginia Tech, coordinating teaching assistant at Auburn, and course developer and supervisor at Virginia Tech. Her honors include the Philanthropic Education Organization’s Scholar Award and a Fulbright Student Research grant to Botswana. Dr. Fairbanks has keen interest in our Wilderness program.

Meagan Frazier | Seventh-Grade Humanities Instructor

Meagan earned her bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY, and her master’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. She served as department head and new teacher mentor at H. Grady Spruce High School in Dallas. Previously, she served as a curriculum specialist for Teach for America/Sam Houston High School in Houston. Much of the early part of her career was spent with Teach for America.

Alex George | Communications Coordinator

Alex holds a bachelor of fine arts degree from Texas Christian University and recently worked as a graphic designer at Peterson Ray & Company in Dallas. Previously, she was a graphic design intern for Leibowitz Gould Design, Inc., in New York City, and during her undergraduate days at TCU was a marketing manager/design team manager for the University’s campus recreation program.

Jeffrey Hale | Mathematics Instructor

Jeff earned his bachelor’s degree from McMurry University, and his master’s from Southern Methodist University. He previously served as a mathematics teacher at Crandall High School, where he taught the Teen Leadership course, sponsored the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and served as co-sponsor of the Academic Decathlon. From 2006–2012, Jeff taught mathematics and coached football and track and field at Highland Park High School. He originally joined the Highland Park ISD in 2004 and taught in Highland Park Middle School. His career also includes time at Tarkington and White Oak High Schools.

Ann Hamilton | Mailroom and Copy Center Assistant

Ann holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Phoenix. She has worked in various accounting roles since 1998 and her previous position was Operations Finance Manager at Corrections Corporation of America. Ann has also volunteered her bookkeeping services as a staff accountant for Girls, Inc.

Christina Jarke | Director of the St. Mark’s Fund

Christina earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies at Texas Tech University in 2005, and she earned her Master of Education in school counseling from the University of North Texas. Prior to joining St. Mark’s, Christina served as Director of Annual Giving at her alma mater, Bishop Lynch High School. During that time she worked closely on building relationships with parent and alumni donors and volunteers, and she also managed the school’s Auction. From 2005–2010 Christina worked for the American Cancer Society as a Community Manager supporting their signature event, Relay For Life.

Jason Lange | Sixth-Grade Humanities Instructor

Jason earned his bachelor’s degree from Tulane University and his master’s from Webster University in St. Louis. Most recently, he taught at the Hong Kong International School and Westridge Elementary School in St. Louis. From 2002–2013, Jason taught, coached, and administered at Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis, a member institution of the International Boys’ Schools Coalition. In addition to his teaching duties, Jason will have responsibilities as a coach and participant in the Wilderness Program.

Michael Morris | English Department Chair

Michael earned his bachelor’s degree from Williams College and his master’s degree in independent school leadership from the Klingenstein Center/Teachers College at Columbia University. Early on, Michael was an analyst for Goldman Sachs on Wall Street and later spent a year at the University of Colorado School of Law. In 1994, he began his teaching career at the Vail Mountain School in Colorado, where he was an English teacher, soccer coach, literary magazine advisor, and English Department Chair from 1998–2011. Before joining St. Mark’s, he served as English Department Chair at Western Reserve Academy in Ohio.

Ryan Parker | Eighth-Grade Humanities Instructor

Ryan attended Texas A&M and graduated from UTD with a degree in literary studies. He comes to St. Mark’s from Richardson Apollo Junior High, where he taught seventh-grade language arts. His previous stints include working at Round Rock Westwood High School and Richardson West Junior High Arts and Technology Magnet. For the last two years, Ryan has served as assistant varsity basketball coach in the St. Mark’s basketball program, earning the respect of the Marksmen he coached. His extra-curricular duties will include coaching two of the athletic seasons.

Dr. Gabriela Reed | Lower Grades (1-6) Counselor

Gabriela earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from UT Southwestern Medical Center. She comes to St. Mark’s from Children’s Medical Center, where she was a Pediatric Psychologist and Assistant Professor. Her presentations include “Bullying: a Guide for Community Physicians” and “Acute Stress Disorder – Kids Have Stress Too.” Dr. Reed has a pending submission of a chapter on Inf lammatory Bowel Disease and Suicide for an e-book on Suicide and Health Disorders.

Myles Teasley | St. Mark’s Fellow

A graduate of Harvard-Westlake (Los Angeles) and Davidson College, Myles will teach in the history department. Myles is proficient in Arabic and has served as Research and Administrative Intern for the Center of the Study of Islam and Democracy in Tunisia. While at Davidson, he held a number of leadership positions, including: President of the Middle East and North African Students’ Association, Chair of the Student Government Academic Policy Committee, Student Liaison for Trustees Committee on Educational Policy, and founder and captain of the men’s club Volleyball team. Myles will have involvement in our athletics program, coaching at least two seasons.

Lynn Terman | Fourth-Grade Humanities Instructor and Phase II Leader

Lynn holds a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University and a Master’s degree from The Ohio State University. Lynn has served as a fourth-grade classroom teacher at Northlake Elementary School in Richardson and Brehms Lane Elementary School in Baltimore City, Maryland. Most recently, Lynn served as a third-grade teacher and team leader at University Park Elementary School. In 2009, she was named University Park Teacher of the Year.

Isabel Toledo | Spanish Instructor

Isabel earned her bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and a master’s degree from Middlebury College. Most recently, Isabel was the Coordinator of International and Study Abroad Programs at the University of Houston-Downtown. Prior to that, she was a temporary lecturer in Spanish at Baylor University. She also served as a Community Relations Coordinator for the Association of American Programs in Spain, English language assistant to Colegio Estudio in Madrid, and as North American Language and Culture Assistant at the Spanish Ministry of Education in that same city.

St. Mark’s aims to prepare young men to

assume leadership and responsibility

in a competitive and changing world. To this end,

the School professes and upholds certain values.

These values include the discipline of

postponing immediate gratification in the interest

of earning eventual, hard-won satisfaction;

the responsiblity of defending one’s own ideas,

of respecting the views of others, and of

accepting the consequences for one’s own actions;

and an appreciaton for the lively connection

between knowledge and responsibility and the

obligation to serve.

~ from the Statement of Purpose