Faculty Provide Global Leadership

Fifteen St. Mark’s teachers and administrators recently joined more than six hundred educators from schools across the globe for the 2024 International Boys’ Schools Coalition’s (IBSC) Annual Conference, hosted this year at the Harrow School in London, England.  
 
Founded in 1572, Harrow School is one of the world’s oldest boys’ schools and counts seven British Prime Ministers among its graduates, including Winston Churchill. The IBSC was established approximately 30 years ago by a small group of North American boys’ schools, including St. Mark’s, to elevate the importance of boys’ education around the globe. Today, the Coalition includes nearly 300 member schools, representing more than 20 countries across five continents. The theme of this year’s Conference was “Tradition, Leadership, Innovation.”  
  
Eugene McDermott Headmaster David W. Dini, an IBSC Trustee, shared the following sentiments about this year’s Conference. 
 
“As always, it was a highlight to gather with friends and colleagues from around the world to focus on the many ways that we help boys develop into good men. Having hosted this Conference at St. Mark’s in 2004 and again in 2022, our teachers know full well the value of our association with experienced educators across the globe. I’m grateful that so many of our teachers have become actively involved with the Coalition, conducting research, making presentations, forging meaningful relationships, and learning alongside teachers from many other schools. It was particularly poignant to gather at Harrow and talk about the importance of instilling courage and honor in all the boys we teach.” 
 
Additionally, the St. Mark’s contingent included John Ashton, Lorre Allen, Katherine Anson, Jorge Correa, Veronica Guzman Pulido, Don Kiehn, Lauren Logan, Linda Liu, Danielle Maxfield, Kendall Murphy, Ken Owens ’89, Rachel Muldez-Werner, Christopher Rutherford, and Kurt Tholking. 
  
“The lessons and experiences that I will bring back to campus are rooted in a deepened understanding of student experiences and innovative strategies from around the world,” said Lorre Allen, who delivered a presentation titled Diverse Minds, Inclusive Hearts: Boys’ Schools Leading the Way. “It’s amazing how different perspectives can spark new ideas and approaches.”  
  
A highlight of the IBSC Conference is the annual Action Research Cohort, in which dozens of educators undergo years-long research projects around a shared theme. This year’s program theme was "Balanced Boys: Promoting Healthy Masculinity Beyond the Classroom." Lauren Logan and Kendall Murphy represented St. Mark’s in the 2024 cohort.  
 
“Working remotely with a team of like-minded educators, we engaged in discussions, offered informed reflections, and developed and assessed innovative ideas on best practices in boys’ education,” said Murphy. Her project, Journaling for Joy: Evaluating Year 5 Psychological Well-Being Through Daily Reflection, was one of eight to earn Top Report Recognition.  
 
For her project, Logan introduced a public mood meter to her junior varsity volleyball team and observed how this tool impacted the boys’ sportsmanship. She presented her findings at the Conference in a session titled Private-Turned-Public Mood Board Strengthens Sportsmanship and Resilience with Junior Varsity Boys.  
 
“As an adult, I have learned to be aware of my emotional regulation, but from the perspective of a teenage boy, it is difficult to be aware of how your emotions influence your actions,” Logan said. “I have observed boys’ behavior through many coaching seasons and want to help them recognize their emotions.”  
  
Dr. Katherine Anson and Jorge Correa also presented a session titled Acquiring Character and Leadership: St. Mark’s Brendan Court ’06 Summer Enrichment Program. 

In addition to sharing his own best practices, Correa is excited to implement some of what he learned at the Conference. "There are a few ideas around the structural organization of the community service program that I'm eager to try. I believe these will help us become more efficient and effective in our mission."

Plenary sessions at the Conference were held in Harrow’s famed Speech Room, which is modeled after London’s Globe Theatre and is the spot where Churchill delivered one of his most famous wartime speeches as Prime Minister. The Speech Room is a breathtaking space that features seating for more than 800 and includes a vast pipe organ, oil paintings, chairs dating back more than a hundred years, and a magnificent wood ceiling and stained-glass windows that had to be restored following the bombings of World War II. A special Conference event was also held at The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. 
  
Many St. Mark’s teachers also attended an optional worship service at one of Harrow's two chapels, which was consecrated by St. Anselm nearly 1,000 years ago. The Harrow Chaplain, who is retiring this year after three and a half decades on the faculty, led his final service for the school community.  
 
During the Conference, St. Mark’s new Board President Fraser Marcus ’72 and his wife Rhonda generously hosted an event for faculty, alumni, and guests in the London area. It was a wonderful opportunity for St. Mark’s teachers to gather with graduates, several Trustees, current families, and even a member of the rising senior class. 
 
The entire St. Mark’s team expressed its gratitude to the Harrow community for opening their campus and serving as such gracious hosts. The Planning Committee was led by Harrow’s Director of Studies, Charles Bailey, who also serves on the IBSC Board of Trustees.

Each year, the IBSC Annual Conference moves to locations around the world, including twice at St. Mark’s in 2004 and 2022. Over the next three years, the Conference will be hosted on three separate continents: Belmont-Hill School in Boston, Massachusetts, in 2025; St. Stithians Boys' College in Sandton, South Africa, in 2026; and The Scots College in Sydney, Australia, in 2027.