FROM THE FRONT DESK

Dear St. Martin’s community,

Thank you for such an amazing year! It has been a privilege and an honor to serve as your Interim Head of School. We have been through a lot together, but together is all that really matters. We are a family, and no one nurtures, educates, and enriches the lives of students like the faculty at St. Martin’s.

I often talk about our teachers being called to the ministry of educating children. It’s their vocation. Just recently I was asked to recall a teacher from my childhood who impacted my life. I wrote about Sue Edwards, long-time tennis coach, PE teacher, and St. Martin’s Summer Camp director. Mrs. Edwards influenced me to enter the field of education, and she comes to mind regularly as I walk our beautiful campus.

Since 2022 beginning St. Martin’s 75th anniversary celebration, I have been thumbing through yearbooks and fondly remembering educators like Mrs. Edwards. Our teachers have a lasting impact on the lives of students without even realizing it. Educators like the ones at our school aren’t made, they are born.

Like Mrs. Edwards, pre-k teacher Alma Roohi ’83 was born to teach. As I prepare myself for a St. Martin’s without our beloved Mrs. Roohi, who is retiring this year, I have been reminiscing on the teaching career of this beautiful person. Thinking back to the end of the 2013-14 academic year, I remember when Mrs. Roohi came to my office and informed me that this was going to be it. Her son Brandon was graduating from St. Martin’s, and she laid out what she planned to do in retirement. I listened emotionally. Then Mrs. Roohi asked, “Well, what do you think?” I replied, “Retirement sounds amazing, but St. Martin’s still needs you. What if I could shape your position to make it a bit different? I think you have more great work to do here with us. We love you, Alma!”

After that conversation, Mrs. Roohi agreed to stay, and we have benefited from so much more of her great work. I am truly in awe of all that she has accomplished. She is a great alum, teacher, Christian, mentor, supporter, mom, wife, sister, and daughter. She would do anything for anyone, whether she knows them or not. My boys all agree, “Mrs. Roohi is super cool!”

Just the other evening as I was having dinner with my family, my twins asked me if I knew anything about St. Martin, the person. I told them that I knew a little. They both listened intently as I began to share the story of St. Martin that is depicted on the stained glass in our exquisite Dan and Frances White Chapel. After just a few sentences in, the boys took over my narrative and described the qualities and characteristics of this special saint. Lee peered at me from across the table and said, “I bet you didn’t know that the poor man was really Jesus. He had just taken the form of a poor man.” This was, of course, followed by Kelly chanting in his all-too-familiar mocking style, “Yeah, Dad! I bet you didn’t know that!” I sat there, pleased, and smiled. I reminded the boys that we should all look for God’s presence, even in places and people unexpected. We have Godsightings every day at St. Martin’s. I see dedicated educators whose ministry is their students and their classes. Teachers like Mrs. Roohi are a wonderful example of this.

As we conclude another academic year, I think about the promise of our future. The St. Martin’s community is extraordinarily special to me. I invite all of you to stay in touch, get involved, and think about what makes you passionate about St. Martin’s. For me as an alum, administrator, and dad, it’s the people.

Have a wonderful and restful summer. Please stop in for a visit, or reach out if you need me for anything.

Together we are Saints!

Ford Jones Dieth, Jr. '89 Interim Head of School