Prepared to Lead: Leadership in the Classroom and on the Field

Derf Maitland P’13, P’14, P’17, P’18

by Nicholas Croghan ’23

Mr. Derf Maitland, English teacher and former girls’ soccer coach of Delone Catholic, stepped in as the first head coach of both the girls’ and boys’ soccer programs at Delone Catholic High School in 2012. He was also recently honored as one of the 2022 Educators of the Year by the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce during the Annual Business Awards Ceremony. Maitland has recently announced his retirement from coaching after an 11-year tenure. He was able to coach both the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams at the outset because they played in opposite seasons. He opted to stay with the girls’ team when their season moved to the fall for the 2012-13 academic year. Maitland claims to have stepped in as coach out of necessity rather than desire, just as he had previously done when he took charge of his children’s youth soccer program. “They needed a coach, so I became the coach,” Maitland said, adding that while he did not take the position out of inspiration, he aspired to be the best coach possible.

Mr. Derf Maitland teaching a lesson in English class.

Credit: Hanover Studio of Photography

It was in the 2015-16 school year that Maitland became a teacher as well. With a degree and a passion for English and the written word, Maitland stepped into a vacant position mid-year and transitioned into his new role with ease. “[Maitland’s] creativity in his instruction inspires his students, who respond with active engagement in class,” said Principal William Lippe. “He listens to his students and strives to expand their opportunities, even creating two new classes on ‘How to Read Film.’”

“Get involved… If you’re committed to something and have to be organized, you get organized. You don’t have a choice.”

Maitland views the balance between teaching and coaching as tedious and stressful, yet simultaneously rewarding. “Coaching allows your students to get to know you better,” he remarked, indicating that having involvement with student activities and programs can yield growth as an educator and develop closer bonds with students. While Maitland feels triumphant over many of the on-field achievements that his girls have accomplished, including winning their first playoff game, he believes that his greatest accomplishment as coach was to administer the development of his athletes, primarily in their academic life.

He advises students considering partaking in extracurricular activities or sports to sign up, as it will strengthen organizational skills and help students stay on top of their work. “Get involved… If you’re committed to something and have to be organized, you get organized. You don’t have a choice.” Maitland also offers insight into how hard work in the classroom can assist students in reaching their athletic goals. “Unless you’re LeBron James, colleges are not looking specifically at athletics; they’re looking at academics.” He strives for his athletes to be sharp both on the field and in the classroom, later adding “You’ve got to be good in the books… If you want to take this soccer thing to [college], they’re going to demand it.”

In addition to Maitland’s work at Delone Catholic as an educator, he and his wife, Mary Ann (Groft) Maitland ‘82, own The Readers’ Cafe, a bookstore and cafe, in downtown Hanover. Despite retiring as the girls’ soccer coach, Maitland will continue his teaching career at Delone Catholic and will continue to offer a classroom environment that will foster success at the highest level.