carlton tucker looks back:
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At the end of this academic year, Carlton Tucker will retire as Head of the Upper School after 20 years in the role. As Head of School Paul Stellato mentions in his letter (pg. 2), Mr. Tucker has served the School longer than any Head of School and all but a few faculty and staff—and through it all, with a “generous touch and calm leadership.” I was fortunate enough to sit down with Carlton to reminisce about his years at Princeton —by kathryn rosko Day School and discuss his plans for the future.
he came from the west
Carlton Tucker arrived to Princeton Day School in 1993 as the newly minted Head of the Upper School after serving as history teacher, advisor, coach, department chair, and curriculum coordinator at San Francisco University High School in California. It was his intention to stay at PDS for a few years. “In the blink of an eye, I had been at PDS for nearly 20 years!” Carlton remarked recently. “I came to PDS in the 20th century and, now upon my leaving, I’ve helped PDS establish itself in the 21st century.” To wit, Carlton Tucker has overseen the growth of the Upper School at Princeton Day School to its historic height: there are now 411 students in the Upper School— the highest enrollment in the school’s history. In addition, on the technology front, Carlton has both witnessed and helped shepherd the revolution firsthand. “I saw the beginnings of the technological revolution when I was leaving Silicon Valley. When I arrived to PDS, there was no internet or email. And now, the School has moved into the world of tweeting, blogging, Facebook, and more.” He went on, “I’m especially excited that the Upper School is on the verge of implementing an iPad program. It’s gratifying to see the way the School has adapted to the new technology and grown.”
mr. steady Ask any faculty colleagues, parents, or students about Carlton, and a common theme quickly arises: steady, quiet, determined, and, above all, an excellent listener. “I really see myself as an educator through and through—a teacher at heart,” remarked Carlton. His colleagues would heartily
agree. In speaking with PDS faculty and staff about him, comments are unanimously and genuinely full of high praise and deep respect. One colleague noted, “He may be quiet but loves to laugh. Carlton has a great sense of humor and is the king of the inside joke.” Other colleagues talked about Carlton being “an anchor,” “sensitive,” and “a champion of the faculty.” One US faculty member perhaps best summed up the sentiment by remarking, “Carlton is such a great listener. He basically gives you the opportunity to figure out what he has known all along.” In his roles at PDS as history teacher, advisor, peer group faculty, lacrosse coach, occasional thespian (with more than one cameo on the McAneny stage), and of course, perennial cheerleader at most, if not all, athletics and other events, he has been a constant and enthusiastic supporter of the school.
princeton day school: then & now Carlton Tucker has always seen the strengths as well as the potential of PDS, and made it his goal to improve upon the framework in place. Originally hired by Head of School Duncan Alling, along with Chuck Burdick, Dean of Faculty, and Charles Elbot, Head of Middle School, the three colleagues worked closely and made great strides forward in the crafting of school policies and procedures. “We were known as the 3 C’s,” said Carlton, who recalled the strength of their bond in the early days. Carlton worked as a team with the Head of School and Division Heads to help solidify and improve upon the strong educational culture at PDS, and to implement
Left, Carlton Tucker from the 1993 Fall Journal; Middle, Kathleen, Michael ’14, and Carlton Tucker; Right, Carlton and Justin Krebs ’96 JOURNAL
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a twenty-year legacy