In my experience, the best educators are the ones who constantly seek ways to continue their own learning, thereby modeling a habit of mind that we want for our students. Those educators, lifelong learners, are also able to convey a passion for learning for a particular subject that is infectious for students and colleagues alike. I am proud of the desire for continued growth that I see among my St. Mark's colleagues, and I am proud of the love they convey for their work, both inside and outside the classroom. These educators do so much to make St. Mark's an intellectually vibrant school, energizing for adults and students alike.

Every day every one of us walks the hallways of the Main Building, and at least twice a week we spend time in this space, Belmont Chapel. If you are anything like me, you have at least a passing familiarity with what is displayed on the walls of these spaces, however you do not engage regularly in a close study of what you see there. The walls really do tell a story, a story about St. Mark's and a story about leadership and service.

Inside the front entrance of Belmont Chapel, one can find a recently added holder for pew cards. These cards identify values we hold dear at St. Mark's that we trace directly to our identity as an Episcopal school:

• We value time for spiritual reflection and the intentional teaching of wisdom, compassion, and humility
• We value human reason used critically in the pursuit of knowledge
• We value life in common, believing it is strengthened by honest and respectful dialogue across lines of disagreement and difference.