On Both Sides of the Classroom: 25 Years at St. Mark’s
February 20, 2026
By Rob Calagione
History & Social Sciences Faculty
Rob Calagione teaches History and Social Sciences at St. Mark’s School. A member of the St. Mark’s community for more than 25 years, Rob first experienced the School as a student before returning as a faculty member. Beyond the classroom, he serves as Varsity Head Baseball Coach and is a leader in Sculley-Coolidge House, where he works closely with students in the residential program. Across his roles as teacher, coach, and house leader, Rob is committed to fostering resilience, encouraging students to care for one another, and helping each individual strive for their very best. In the post below, Rob reflects on his journey from student to educator and what makes the St. Mark’s community so enduringly special.
Independent boarding schools are ever-evolving, but as someone who has been connected to St. Mark’s
for over 25 years, first as a student and now as a faculty member, I can attest that one constant is a school
committed to fostering a community where individuals are known and supported.
Reflecting on my time as a student, I realize that I did not fully appreciate the special environment at St.
Mark’s. Every day, I was pushed to do and be my best. Perhaps more importantly, there was a community
of teachers invested in my success who did everything they could to help me achieve my goals. As with
many things in life, it took being on the other side of the experience to gain this appreciation. When I
returned to St. Mark’s as an early-career educator, I found the same supportive environment. Many of the
teachers who guided me as a student were there to help me navigate the transition to working at St.
Mark’s. It is professionally rewarding to be part of a community where individual growth is at the center
of our work.
In large part, that feeling of support stems from the various ways faculty members interact with students:
as classroom teachers, athletic coaches, and residential house leaders. I am passionate about my work in
the History and Social Sciences Department, on the baseball field as the Varsity Head Coach, and in the
Sculley-Coolidge House. I truly love that when the school day ends, I can head out to the baseball field or
to the residential house and continue working with students. While the settings may differ, my objectives
across all of these spaces are the same. I want students to learn the value of resilience, to care for the
person next to them, and always strive to achieve their best. From my experience, I know that this
happens most often when students are surrounded by a community of adults who genuinely know them.
The growth that students demonstrate over the course of their time at St. Mark’s is incredible. To know
that you may have played a small role in that development is gratifying.
I am certain that the next 25 years will bring additional changes to independent boarding schools, but
what initially drew me to St. Mark’s remains true: a close-knit community of adults who are passionate
about what they do and devoted to helping students become their best selves. Serving as a teacher, coach,
and house leader continues to be deeply meaningful work for me and reinforces why St. Mark’s is such a
special place.
