The Head of School

As my third year at Tatnall comes to a close, I am so proud of the progress we have made over the last few years. As I reflect upon the school we have been, the school we are, and the school we want to be, I often think about a maxim of John Wooden, one of the great teachers in sport: “Earn the right to be proud and confident.” I am awed by the teachers, students, and parents in this community who consistently contribute their unique gifts to this school, and work tirelessly to build an education for our students of which we can be proud and confident. Together, we are building an educational landscape where wonder and curiosity take flight, where students are guided to succeed amidst challenging endeavors, and where opportunities are commensurate with our ambitions for the future.

The stories within these pages are but a glimpse of all the things that make us proud and confident. In addition to investments in facilities and programs, we have made some transformative hires, such as our new Director of Athletics, Katy Phillips. As you will read, Katy is a committed and dedicated individual with a passion for competition and perseverance (page 9). We’ve also fully immersed ourselves in the efficiency and efficacy of project-based learning (page 16) to deliver a more hands-on and collaborative approach to the educational process. By encouraging students to interact with the world around them, we are building skills and competencies that transcend traditional schooling and set our students up for success at Tatnall and beyond.

A highlight from my time here (and one of the most remarkable sporting events I have ever witnessed) was the Delaware Mile Challenge last April (page 44). Not only was it awe-inspiring to watch a group of professional athletes attempt a sub-4:00-minutemile, it was humbling to be a part of the history made that night. The incredible talent displayed by some of the nation’s top runners and the love embodied by the entire community was truly special to behold.

This is an exciting time to be at Tatnall. After several years of “playing defense,” I firmly believe that Tatnall is now playing offense. We are investing strategically in people, program, and place; we are building significant admissions momentum within a competitive Wilmington market; and we are doubling down on our inimitable school culture, which has been one of the hallmarks of a Tatnall experience since the time of Mrs. Tatnall.

I sincerely hope you enjoy reading this season’s publication of Tatnall Today, and I look forward to continuing our work to earn your trust, your pride, and your confidence.

Go Hornets!

Andrew D. Martire, Ed.D. Head of School