![New faculty stand on grass in front of main building]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1726075348/stmarksschool/hmw9ebvisrpwylw6wydm/NewFac2024news.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1726075348/stmarksschool/hmw9ebvisrpwylw6wydm/NewFac2024news.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1726075348/stmarksschool/hmw9ebvisrpwylw6wydm/NewFac2024news.jpg","width":800}])
Along with Head of School Ivory D. Hills, six faculty have joined the St. Mark’s Pride for the 2024-2025 academic year. We are pleased to introduce the following new members of our School community:
Jayven Brandt is teaching in the History and Social Sciences Department as a Farmer UPenn Fellow. He recently graduated from University of Nebraska-Lincoln with his bachelor's degree in secondary social science education, and also served as a student teacher at Millard North High School in Omaha, Nebraska as a government and world history instructor. Jayven enjoys traveling, shopping, musical theater, competitive volleyball, and bowling.
Mary Flanagan is covering a family leave in French for the first semester. Mary recently retired from her long service as a French teacher at Westborough High School, and is excited to continue sharing her passion for French with the St. Mark’s community in a part-time capacity.
Antonio Leonardis is teaching Classics, covering for Heather Harwood while she is on sabbatical this year. After years of teaching throughout the U.S. and the U.K., Antonio most recently resided in the southern Italian village where his parents were born, completing archaeological research in pre-Roman Italy and tutoring in his area of specialty, Classics.
Justine O’Connell joins the Modern and Classical Languages Department as a Spanish teacher. Justine arrived at St. Mark’s from Mercersburg Academy, where she most recently served as the director of global initiatives, and was involved in the academic and residential programs as a Spanish teacher, dorm dean, field hockey coach, Model UN advisor, and chair of the school’s conduct committee. You’ll likely find Justine walking her dog, enjoying a good book, or planning her next travel adventure.
Ethan Parks is teaching French in the Modern and Classical Languages Department as a new Farmer UPenn Fellow. Ethan recently graduated from Kenyon College, where he majored in French, minored in English, served as the head tour guide for the admissions office, and completed a fascinating thesis that explored the narrative structures of video games. Ethan is a lifelong Texas Rangers fan who harbors a love for video games, reading, and a pet turtle named Walter.
Stewart Tucker is teaching two sections of IV Form English in a part-time position for the 2024-2025 school year. After working in a variety of teaching and administrative roles, most recently at Dexter Southfield School, Stewart spent the past year completing a master’s degree in education leadership, organizations, and entrepreneurship at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. A former competitive oarsman, Stewart continues to scull and row with a club near Boston and will assist with the St. Mark’s crew program in the spring. Stewart enjoys hiking and cross-country skiing, along with the arts and reading.
Photograph by Sandra Levandowski