direction FOR A LIFETIME
FAREWELL
GREG ARMBRISTER, JAN DESAL, AND DEBBIE MCDONALD A NEW JOURNEY FOR GREG ARMBRISTER By Dr. Bob Dworkoski, President of the Viewpoint Educational Foundation
IT WAS WITH PARTICULAR NOSTALGIA that Greg Armbrister left Viewpoint after the 2014-15 academic year to achieve his long-held goal of becoming a head of school in his adopted homeland of Thailand. Greg was a beloved leader, teacher, mentor, colleague, coach, and friend to those who knew him at Viewpoint. He touched the lives of many as the Associate Head of School and Head of Middle School in 2014-15. Prior to these roles, Greg was Head and Associate Head of the Middle School since he began his tenure at Viewpoint in 2001.
Greg projected his unique warmth to all with whom he came into contact and performed his many duties with wisdom and efficiency. While he admired the process of learning in all of Viewpoint’s 13 grades, he was most drawn to the early adolescent years of Middle School. He appreciated these students’ inquiring and clever minds, which previewed their sophisticated thinking in Upper School and beyond, and their spontaneity and joy in living. He spoke about their innocence and their “middle school humor,” as he called it. Surely his students responded to him in kind. “Mr. A” was always approachable, wise in his advice, calm amidst the occasional frenzy of middle school life, and endlessly patient. Parents were confident in the care he provided their children. He was passionately committed to the success of every child. Greg’s students remarked that “Mr. A was everywhere,” teaching classes, advising on curriculum, counseling, chaperoning trips and social events, and serving as the announcer at Homecoming and basketball games. Amongst his colleagues, Greg was known as the ultimate “school man,” who defined his job by the work that needed to be completed and not by the hour of the day. Though such educators are few in number, great schools often have an abundance of them. They help to set the tone and define the culture of the School.
Greg Armbrister
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V I E W P O I N T
M AG A Z I N E
Greg’s many friends and admirers join me in wishing him well in his new journey in life and are confident of his continued success.