Faculty Awards

Harpeth Hall faculty nurture a sense of wonder in their students

by Elizabeth Floyd Read ’09

If you ask a Harpeth Hall student what makes the school special, without hesitation she would say it is the teachers. In March, as Harpeth Hall celebrated its teachers at the annual faculty recognition assembly, that admiration felt electric. In a packed theatre, school administrators recognized longtime faculty members with words that captured and reflected the impact each educator has had on Harpeth Hall. As every teacher or staff member’s name was called, groups of students spontaneously leapt to their feet. There were big smiles, enthusiastic shouts, and standing ovations — all which underscored how deeply Harpeth Hall students appreciate and adore their teachers. “Over my seven years at Harpeth Hall, I have built incredible bonds with my teachers and learned so much more than facts and figures from them, and I know my all peers also recognize that our faculty excel in many ways,” said Emory Morgan ’22, who was chosen by her class to represent the students during this special assembly. “They are dedicated to what they do, they are constantly selfless with their time and resources, they are understanding and empathetic during challenging days and weeks, and they adapt to their students’ needs.”

Harpeth Hall is fortunate to have a dedicated community of educators who work tirelessly to make sure students are set up for success as they become leaders in and out of the classroom. During the assembly, Director of the Upper School Armistead Lemon, Director of the Middle School Judi O’Brien, and Jane Berry Jacques ’72, chair of the board of trustees, joined Head of School Jess Hill in honoring faculty and staff members who have been at Harpeth Hall for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years. “Our core purpose is to nurture a sense of wonder, to cultivate a will and facility for learning, and to promote cultural understanding, environmental stewardship, and service to others. The pursuit of these goals will inspire students and faculty to combine knowledge with goodness and reflection with action,” Mrs. Jacques said. “That is what is done every day at this school. The love of learning instilled here is quite magical.” Three Harpeth Hall teachers received recognition for their teaching excellence: Upper School science teacher Samantha O’Connor, Upper School science teacher Jennifer Perry, and Middle School social studies teacher Meggie Lucas. “Our faculty and staff deserve endless praise,” Emory said. “You all truly embody the spirit of graciousness, humility, and integrity. Thank you all for being examples of the hardest-working people I know, and I can say with confidence that you try every day to leave our school better than you found it.”

HARPETH HALL CONGRATULATES OUR FACULTY AND STAFF ON THESE CAREER MILESTONES

10 years Hannah Bond, Upper School science teacher Garen Eadie, Middle School social studies teacher Lauren Finney, Graphic designer Clark Harwell, Middle School English teacher Amy Miller, Upper School French teacher Michele O’Brien, Middle School social studies teacher Amy Mulron, Middle School math teacher Emily Runzo, Bookstore and student account manager 15 years Susan Moll, Director of Advancement Pamela Carver, Upper School Dean of Students Shane Roberts, Events coordinator 20 years Martha Goodman, Middle School drama and speech teacher Jennifer Hinds, Donor relations Kristen Meltesen, Upper School English teacher Liz Nelson, Middle School athletic director Julie Waugh, Information services assistant 25 years Joe Croker, Upper School English teacher DJ Ranta, Theatre technical director

30 years Legare Vest, Upper School science teacher 35 years Tad Wert, Upper School math teacher

Lulu Hampton Owen Chair for Excellence in Teaching Meggie Lucas, Middle School social studies teacher, received the Lulu Hampton Owen Chair for Excellence in Teaching. This recognition is awarded annually to an outstanding member of the Harpeth Hall faculty who demonstrates excellence in scholarship, an unusual ability to communicate with students, excitement about teaching and learning, a commitment to the moral and intellectual development of students, and dedication to the life of the school. The appointment is for one year and carries with it honor, remuneration, and a Harpeth Hall chair which serves as a symbol for this award. Ms. Lucas “believes in the power of the student-teacher relationship as the central and essential component in learning,” Head of School Jess Hill said. “She believes deeply in the endless potential of every one of her students, and they excel in her class because of the confidence she instills. Her students look forward to her class and consistently highlight her ability to make learning engaging, challenging, and fun.” Whether it is the variety of seating options and configurations designed to create optimal focus and learning or the positive energy she brings to the space, Ms. Lucas’ classroom reflects her dedication to creating a supportive learning environment for all students. Ms. Lucas “is masterful at setting high expectations for her students and providing the feedback, support, and encouragement they need to meet them.”

For me, teaching is rewarding because of the lasting relationships and connections that are built with students. I feel honored and humbled to occupy a space in their lives as they continue to grow into strong young women who have an amazing impact on this world.

— Meggie Lucas, Middle School social studies department chair

Ellen Bowers Hofstead Chair in STEM Education Jennifer Perry, Upper School science teacher, received the Ellen Bowers Hofstead Chair, an award established by James W. Hofstead in loving memory of his wife. Mrs. Hofstead graduated from Ward-Belmont Preparatory School in 1934 and Ward-Belmont Junior College in 1935. This recognition is awarded for a period of three years. Recipients of the Ellen Bowers Hofstead Chair demonstrate a high level of distinction in learning and teaching, have earned an advanced degree, and have made a full-time commitment to Harpeth Hall for a minimum of five years. As the 2022 award recipient, Ms. Perry “cares deeply about how girls learn best, and she scaffolds her lessons, labs, notes, and assessments so that every student has the opportunity to be both challenged and to succeed in her classes,” Ms. Hill said. For over a decade, Ms. Perry has inspired her students to pursue careers in STEM, while also producing the school yearbook, Milestones, and serving as part of the bowling coaching team. “A hallmark of her teaching style is that her students feel seen, known, and cared for,” Ms. Hill said. “She intuitively knows when a student needs extra support or a gentle nudge, and she helps them feel a part of our Upper School community. Her students adore her because she manages to hold high expectations of them and to bring fun into the classroom.”

I love teaching at Harpeth Hall. Where else do you have students who are eager to learn, an amazing faculty, and such a beautiful campus. It is truly a dream job.

— Jennifer Perry, Upper School science teacher

Heath Jones Prize for the Promise of Excellence in Teaching Samantha O’Connor, Upper School science teacher, received the Heath Jones Prize for the Promise of Excellence in Teaching. This prize is dedicated to A. Heath Jones, a teacher and academic dean at Harpeth Hall from 1984 to 1996. Harpeth Hall awards this prize annually to a full-time teacher who has had five years or less of classroom experience and who has taught at Harpeth Hall for two years or more.

"This year’s Heath Jones Award recipient emulates the love of teaching and learning that Heath Jones modeled for our community,” Ms. Hill said “She is beloved by her students, who describe her as energetic, spirited, passionate, and fun. She inspires her students to see themselves as scientists.” Ms.O’Connor has made a significant impact on her students by teaching that learning does not happen in a bubble. She collaborates with her peers and experts in the field to expand her students’ education beyond the classroom. “Ms. O’Connor is a leader in her field,” Ms. Hill said. “ . . . She has already been recognized nationally for her potential as a teacher and scholar.”

The students at Harpeth Hall make teaching a truly meaningful, challenging, comedic, and creative experience. They push me to grow into the best teacher I can be. Whether it’s TikTok, weekend plans, or seeing the innovative ways my students experience science, they keep me up to date and come up with ideas that I could never have imagined!

— Samantha O’Connor, Upper School science teacher