F A C U L T Y / S T A F F
Jonathan Haff Joins as Director of Technology
Meighan Stoops, current MS/US music teacher and US administrative assistant, will be starting a new role this fall as Calhoun’s Director of Music. Head of School Steve Nelson notes that “this will be the first time that Calhoun will have someone committed full time to carrying the entire music program forward in all three divisions.” In addition to her extensive teaching credentials, Meighan has a strong administrative background, most recently as promotions associate for Peer Music Publishing. She also handles the administrative duties for her chamber music group, Da Capo Chamber Players. Director of Performing Arts David Alpert, who formerly had music under his administrative umbrella, will continue to stay busy as head of the Calhoun theater program and the Calhoun Performing Arts Series in addition to his teaching responsibilities in the Lower School.
SchoolNews
andy Doan Honored on His Departure
Jonathan Haff joined Calhoun as Director of Technology this spring. In this new position, Jonathan will oversee the school’s hardware, software, network, database and student information system. His most immediate projects include infrastructure overhauls and the transition to an integrated database and website. Jonathan will also help Calhoun stay current with emerging trends, using technology more effectively in our offices and classrooms. Jonathan comes to Calhoun after six years at Trinity School, where he served as senior systems and network administrator, and as interim co-director of technology.
New Director of Music Post Goes to Meighan stoops
N E W S M A K E R S
He’s a lifer…and he’s graduating. This year marks the completion of andy Doan’s 15th year at Calhoun—the same length of time completed by “lifers” (students who have been at Calhoun from the 3’s to twelfth grade). sadly, andy will indeed “graduate” this year, having accepted a position to teach fourth grade at Friends seminary next fall. It’s a return to his roots; before coming to Calhoun, andy taught at four different Friends schools in the Philadelphia area. “I’m looking forward to meeting for worship again,” notes andy. “I think it’s one of the things I’ve missed the most during my time at Calhoun—that quiet, reflective time when everyone gathers together. I’m looking forward to having that as part of my school experience again.” although andy is happy to return to the Friends environment, he says he takes with him many fond memories of Calhoun, including the traditional Middle school projects like the Egyptian Tomb and Middle Eastern suq. He will also miss the special teacher/student relationships that the advisee system fosters, Calhoun’s love for music, and the powerful writing produced by Calhoun students. “More than any other place I’ve taught, at Calhoun I can count on one or more students writing something that makes my jaw drop with amazement.” andy calls his work as a diversity point person “some of the most inspiring work I have done at Calhoun,” citing the undoing Racism Workshop, White affinity Group and the White Privilege Conference as important and enlightening experiences. Of course, andy’s 15 years at Calhoun will inform his work at Friends seminary, and he’s curious about teaching a group of slightly younger students. “I have a number of friends who tell me that fourth grade is the best year,” andy says with a laugh. “I’ve always argued that fifth and sixth grade are the best, but now I get the chance to find out.”
Grants awarded to Four Teachers Calhoun has awarded grants to four teachers who will pursue a rich and varied program of independent study and professional development this coming summer. In exchange, the faculty members will share their work and experience with the school community upon their return. Claudia Curfman Castellana Grants were awarded to US art teacher Chris Garcia, who will attend an artist residency in Yerevan, Armenia; US biology teacher Francesco Filiaci, who will collaborate with Black Rock Forest Consortium to research the effects of growing red oak acorns from various sites along a Northeast transect; MS art teacher Amy Konen, who will attend an art workshop at Anderson Ranch in Colorado; and LS music teacher Dustin LeVasseur, who will attend a digital audio recording course.
The Claudia Curfman Castellana Memorial Endowment Fund was created in memory of a popular Calhoun teacher who died in 1977, and is meant to encourage the support of deserving projects that would enhance the school’s educational curriculum and are also in keeping with the interests of Claudia Castellana.
Claudia Curfman Castellana grants for professional development went to (L–R) Chris Garcia, Dustin LeVasseur, amy Konen and Francesco Filiaci.
SHOW YOUR COUGAR PRIDE! Purchase Calhoun merchandise at our new online store: www.cppro.com/CalhounSchool.
THE CALHOUN CHRONICLE
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