After more than 40 years at Marin Primary & Middle School, Donna and Steve Fanfelle will be retiring in June of 2020. Donna and Steve met in 1980, when they were both teachers at what was then known as Marin Primary School. Beginning as a substitute teacher in the preschool, Donna moved on to become preschool teacher, kindergarten teacher, and preschool director before taking on her current role as director of admission. Steve, having taught every level from first grade up, spent decades teaching eighth graders, and has helped a generation of MP&MS students prepare for the rigors and challenges of high school. Married for 36 years, much of Donna and Steve’s lives have revolved around this special place that’s been their second home. Thank you, Donna and Steve, for your countless contributions to MP&MS! For many years, prospective parents have been asking Donna and Steve what makes Marin Primary & Middle School so special. Reflecting on both the features and the benefits of an MP&MS education, the two believe deeply that this community has something priceless to offer to both students and families alike: Donna: Marin Primary & Middle School is a warm and welcoming school where children are known, challenged, and encouraged to take risks. When they graduate from MP&MS, they leave with the ability to collaborate with others and to advocate for themselves. With our teaching model, we are able to differentiate the way we teach to reach each child. The connections between the teachers and students, amazing parent community, SEL program, specialist classes, and strong academics are what makes me proud to work here after 36 years. MP&MS is a place where both you and your child will make friends to last a lifetime. Steve: We, as human beings, all take in information and process information in many different ways. As a teacher at MP&MS, you are encouraged to incorporate this educational philosophy into your everyday experience with each of your students. I was fortunate to teach, for many years, with Sheila McBroom, who offered me an invaluable lesson: a teacher should have a varied ‘bag of tricks’ at all times. You’ll never know which of the methods in this bag will be needed to help one of your students process the information in front of them; one size does not fit all. When a student is able to succeed in learning new information, no matter what the subject, a very valuable connection has been made. Success builds upon success. When I ask an alumni of any age (and that range is now pretty extensive) the most valuable lesson they took away from MP&MS, nine times out of ten it will be this response: “I learned to advocate for myself and believe that I could succeed.” Of course, you cannot successfully advocate for yourself if you lack the critical skills to do so. And with forty years of experience at MP&MS, I know firsthand that this school provides the ideal environment for academic success.
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