Four King Legends Celebrating

At King School, we have been fortunate to have individuals whose dedication, talent, and commitment have shaped our community in profound ways.

As we bid farewell to four beloved faculty and staff members — Carol Mannella, Carolyn Patten, Mark McAndrews, and Doug Johnson — we reflect on their remarkable contributions and their lasting impact on generations of students, families, and colleagues.

They have gone above and beyond in their roles, inspiring a love of learning and creating a warm, welcoming environment. Their legacies are woven into the fabric of King.

Carol Mannella has provided care and support to the children at the King School Day Care for a quarter of a century, building a foundation for their early learning and development. Beyond the day care walls, she was a familiar presence at many school events: birthday parties, graduations, and everything in between. Mannella’s calming presence and genuine care reassured parents that their children were in good hands. She worked closely with families, ensuring smooth transitions for each child. Mannella’s dedication has left a lasting imprint on our youngest Vikings and their families.

Mark McAndrews arrived in 2004 and wore many hats at King School, including Lower School PE Coordinator, middle school coach, and Director of the Summer Institute. His contributions earned him deep respect and admiration from all corners of the community. McAndrews was instrumental in creating a developmentally appropriate physical education curriculum for our youngest Vikings and worked closely with students across all grade levels. His dedication, energy, and commitment to fostering a positive environment for all have made him a mentor and role model to many. We thank him for his service and are happy that though he is making changes, he will continue as Director of the Summer Institute.

Doug Johnson has been a fixture at King since 2002. As facilities supervisor, he was our go-to person for ensuring that events ran smoothly, solving problems on the fly, and greeting everyone with a kind word or a joke. His unwavering support for our community — students, staff, and families — created an environment where everyone felt welcomed and valued. Johnson’s genuine kindness, positive attitude, and humor have earned him well-deserved recognition, including the Viking Service Athletic Award. As he moves on to new adventures, we are grateful for his legacy of warmth and dependability.

Since 2009, Carolyn Patten has inspired upper school students as an English teacher and department chair, instilling a love of language, critical thinking, and self-expression. She was instrumental in elevating the English program, emphasizing project- and inquiry-based learning. Most recently, Patten worked to develop the integrated American Studies course, promoting an environment that encouraged engagement, risk-taking, and intellectual curiosity. Her guidance in the classroom and as a mentor, her presence at athletic events and performances, and her support of her students will be deeply missed.

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Parents

For more information, visit kingschoolct.org/philanthropy/annual-fund or contact Boardie Kurz, Director of Annual Giving, at bkurz@kingschoolct.org or (203) 322-3496 Ext. 4401.