Katherine Garland ‘27 and Paige Mattson ‘27
For the St. Mark’s 2024-2025 school year, seven new faculty members including our head of school Dr. Ivory Hills have joined the pride.
Antonio Leonardis is honored to be a new member of the Classics Department. Mr. Leonardis will be teaching Latin IV and Greek II in the place of Dr. Harwood, who is currently on sabbatical.
Ethan Parks, a Farmer UPenn fellow, is a member of the Modern Language Department where he is teaching French II. He will be coaching Thirds Squash in the winter and JV Baseball in the spring. Mr. Parks found St. Mark’s to be the best fit for him because of the tight-knit community, sharing, “I really liked that when I visited, my tour guide knew everybody that passed in the hall!”. So far, he has enjoyed teaching and living in the Main Building. In college, he competed with his Quiz Bowl team against multiple major schools and won. If you are interested in trivia, be sure to reach out to Mr. Parks!
Jayven Brandt, another Farmer UPenn Fellow, is thrilled to be a member of the History and Social Sciences Department. Mr. Brandt played volleyball in college, and is now the GirlsGirls' Varsity Volleyball assistant coach. He decided to come to St. Mark’s because everyone was so welcoming that it made him feel at home. Currently, Mr. Brandt teaches Advanced Government and Politics. A fun fact about him is that he appeared on 90-day Fiance! While a couple from Omaha was trying on tuxedos at a bridal company, Mr. Brandt had a cameo in the shot folding suits!
Justine O’Connell is a new addition to the Modern Languages Department, teaching Spanish I and II. Ms. O’Connell is also coaching JV Girls Field Hockey in the fall and will join the Wellness Program in the winter. Ms. O’Connell is most excited to get to know new students outside of class. She appreciates the focus on global citizenship, as well as the cohesive and welcoming community at St. Mark’s. She noted that she was impressed with the community from her first visit: “People were really friendly and willing to answer questions and help out, and people are still like that,” she noted cheerfully. Ms. O’Connell loves taking walks outside and trying new foods, so let her know if you have any food or restaurant recommendations! She is always up for an adventure.
Mary Flanagan will be temporarily joining the Modern Languages Department teaching French III as she covers for Ms. Nicks during the first semester.
Stewart Tucker is joining the English Department this year! He is teaching Survey of Literary Genres and will be a rowing coach in the spring. Mr. Tucker decided to join St. Mark’s because of the welcoming community and the “exciting new era beginning with Dr. Hills.” Moreover, Mr. Tucker admired the mission statement: “St. Mark’s School educates young people for lives of leadership and service.” One fun fact about Mr. Tucker is he enjoys sculling and rowing on the Charles River between Cambridge and Boston!
Dr. Ivory Hills is taking on the role of Head of School, as well as teaching Integrated Science II. One of the many reasons that Dr. Hills made the decision to come to St. Mark’s is the unique character of our intentionally small community. He notes, “aA school that claims it is stronger together is interesting; teamwork over individual work, and discouraging self-interest is actually a unique concept that not many schools acknowledge”. One fun fact about Dr. Hills is that he enjoys playing the ukulele!
Make sure you give our new members of the St. Mark’s community a warm and cheerful welcome!