Teachers Present at Global Conference

In July 2018, nine St. Mark’s faculty members traveled to the Southport School in Gold Coast, Australia, to attend the International Boys’ Schools Coalition (IBSC) Annual Conference. Eugene McDermott Headmaster David W. Dini led a group that included Sheri Darver, Teri Broom, Emma Noble, Barbara Kinkead, Jason Lange, Kurt Tholking, David Brown, and Marty Stegemoeller. Over four days, the teachers met with colleagues from boys’ schools across the world, sharing St. Mark’s innovative practices while gathering ideas from like-minded institutions related to the education and formation of boys. St. Mark’s was a founding member of the IBSC, an organization that now include nearly 300 boys’ schools around the world. 

 

This year, Head of Lower School Sheri Darver and first-grade teacher Teri Broom conducted a workshop for lower school educators entitled The ABCs of Leadership Education: Wise Heads, Responsive Hearts, Skilled Hands, which highlighted the Character and Leadership Education that St. Mark’s faculty are pursuing with our youngest Marksmen. 

 

“There is so much to learn at a big conference like this, with 600 delegates from 13 countries,” Sherri Darver said. “I brought back many ideas and practices to consider, and I look forward to sharing them with the faculty and boys in the coming year.” 

 

Concurrently, Dr. Marty Stegemoeller, Malcolm K. and Minda Brachman Master Teaching Chair, and David Brown, Victor F. White Master Teaching Chair, shared the significant progress and pioneering spirit St. Mark’s has demonstrated in Character and Leadership Education in the Middle and Upper Schools with a presentation entitled Enhancing Character and Leadership Education: The Path to Manhood Portfolio.

 

“The members of the St. Mark’s community also collected ideas and practices from other boys’ schools that may be worth consideration at 10600 Preston Road,” said Jason Lange, Assistant Head of Middle School. “The size of the conference continues to grow each year, and the benefit to educators in boys’ schools in tremendous. We understand that we educate a distinct and unique group of young people, and our participation in the IBSC allows us to remain at the forefront of boys’ education.”

 

Founded in 1995, the International Boys’ Schools Coalition is an organization of schools from more than 20 countries dedicated to the education and development of boys worldwide, the professional growth of those who work with them, and the advocacy and advancement of institutions that serve them.

St. Mark’s previously hosted the conference in 2004 and will host again in summer 2021, allowing the School to showcase its innovative excellence, as well as the unique culture of Dallas.