Directory

After a collegiate coaching career at Mary Hardin-Baylor University, Darren Teicher joined the St. Mark’s faculty in 2008 where he serves as head volleyball coach. He earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, where he won a national championship as a player. As a coach here, his teams have won seven SPC volleyball championships.

Kurt joined St. Mark’s in 2012 and teaches middle and upper school computer science. He also coaches middle school basketball and JV lacrosse. Before coming to St. Mark’s he worked at independent day schools in Cincinnati and Connecticut. Kurt has many roles on campus outside the classroom and coaching including advisor, club sponsor and is also an active member of the wilderness program. A native of Cincinnati and graduate of St. Xavier High School, Kurt received a B.S. in Business from Miami University. He and his wife have two children.

Suzanne Townsend was appointed as the School’s Director of Finance and Administration in May 2003. She is a CPA and previously served as the Vice President of Finance and Administration for the Fort Worth Museum of Science History from 1996–2003, and as the Chief Financial Officer for the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society from 1992–1996. Suzanne began her career in public accounting with Deloitte & Touche, where she worked in the Middle Market Services practice as a consultant and auditor. She earned her MBA from Southern Methodist University and her BBA from The University of Texas at Tyler. She has served for many years as a member of the Executive Committee of the ISAS Group Benefits Trust and is a past-president of that organization. Suzanne and her husband David reside in Dallas.

After a collegiate coaching career, John Turek came to St. Mark’s in 1996, where he is head coach of the track and field program. He also was cross country head coach for 26 years here, and now assists with those athletes. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from California State University-Los Angeles and a master’s degree in physical education from California State UniversityFullerton. His collegiate coaching career includes cross country and track and field head coach at California State University-Los Angeles and physical education teacher, women’s cross country and track and field head coach at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. He also serves as an advisor in the ninth and tenth grade class rotations.

A member of the Lion athletic staff since 1988, Ron Turner is the athletics equipment manager. He earned an associate of science degree from the Dallas County Community College District. He serves as Middle School tennis coach, scheduler for varsity and middle school tennis and has been a member of the Athletic Equipment Managers Association since 2001. Father to Chris ‘91, Turner was named recipient of the Booker Kilgore Award, recognizing him as the High School Equipment Manager of the Year, in 2022.

Katy Tye began her St. Mark’s career in 2023 and currently serves as Upper and Middle drama teacher. Tye earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Southern Methodist University and a master’s degree in fine arts from Wayne State University. Prior to coming here, Tye co-founded a non-profit theater called Prism Movement Theater, where she wrote and choreographed numerous shows. She has acted and directed in the Dallas area at several theaters including Undermain, Echo, Theatre Three, and Dallas Children’s Theater. In addition to her work in theater, Tye provides motion capture for Gearbox Studios (Borderlands) and has voiced characters for Crunchyroll Studios (One Piece). She is an adviser in the freshman-sophomore rotation and is a member of the Society of American Fight Directors.