It is with mixed emotions that I share the news of Sherri Darver’s plans to retire as head of Lower School at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 school year. After a distinguished career in education and having left an indelible mark on our School and our boys, Sherri and her husband Alan are looking forward to greater flexibility and more time with their children, grandchildren and extended family.
I want to thank Sherri for her exceptional leadership as head of Lower School, a classroom teacher, a phase leader and simply a wonderful colleague. She has set a standard of devotion and excellence that is inspiring to all who know her.
A consummate educator and humble servant leader, Sherri has held a variety of teaching and administrative roles during her tenure at St. Mark’s. She has taught fourth grade, served as a Lower School phase leader and been actively involved in the formation and development of our Character and Leadership education efforts across the campus. In recognition of her many contributions in and out of the classroom as a leader on the faculty, she was recognized with the Murrell Excellence in Teaching Award and the Ackerman Character Education Award and was named the dedicatee of the 2019 Marksmen yearbook.
After a short stint away from education, she answered our call to return to St. Mark’s as interim head of Lower School in the fall of 2016. Although a national search to fill the role was already well underway, it quickly became evident that Sherri was the perfect candidate to lead the Lower School into the future. Thankfully, that’s exactly what she did, guiding our boys in character formation while working alongside an exceptional group of educators. From the student-focused response to COVID to her active leadership in the development of the new daily schedule, she has consistently led with thoughtfulness, determination and a genuine love for the Marksmen in her care.
In addition to her longstanding service at St. Mark’s, Sherri also enjoyed a successful tenure at Hockaday, where she held a number of teaching and administrative positions. Before coming to Texas, she also taught at elementary schools in both Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Please join me in expressing our gratitude and warmest congratulations to Sherri for all that she has done to shape the lives of so many Marksmen.
A national search for the next head of Lower School will be underway soon.