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Faculty Awards
The Perry Awards were established and endowed in 1995 by generous donors to honor the life and work of former faculty Les and Barbara Perry, who devoted thirty years to the students of Webb and served the school loyally and in many capacities. The Perry Awards serve as a tangible reward for a job well done and for extraordinary dedication to the growth and development of Webb students.
THE 2021-22 PERRY AWARD WINNERS:
Joseph Vincent, World Languages
Mr. Joseph Vincent dives into the study of World Languages – personally and as a teacher. Not satisfied with written and verbal fluency in Chinese and Spanish, he spent the summer of 2021 at Middlebury College’s prestigious graduate program in French studies as a recipient of the Davis Fellowship for Peace. He approaches his classes the same way, making the student experience his priority. In his classes, don’t expect to just learn vocabulary and conjugations. Expect to fully experience the language through highly deliberated and detailed class blocks.
Outside of the classroom, Joseph enriches Webb’s community with his characteristic charm and wit, whether he’s supporting our international students, leading a hike or orchestrating a trip into Los Angeles. This Perry Award allowed Vincent to return to Middlebury and continue his studies as he cements his understanding of French and further strengthens his ability to serve Webb’s students. Joseph has a BA in Chinese language and literature from Reed College and an MA in Chinese literature from National Taiwan University. He joined Webb in 2019.
Melissa Mani, Fawcett Library
Ms. Melissa Mani is perhaps the ultimate utility player at Webb, providing support in the library, substituting in classrooms and championing students as an advisor and diversity, equity and inclusion advocate. As Webb’s assistant librarian, her multifaceted skillset ranges from running an independent study in Arabic to ensuring students have a conducive place to study and the resources they need. Beyond this, she is dedicated to creating a true sense of belonging for Webb’s students. Melissa guides students with empathy, care and compassion. The reality is that no task is too large or too small for Melissa, and she handles each of them with professionalism and grace. She never seeks individual recognition or credit, as she truly does all these things for Webb because of how much she values and loves the work. Melissa received her BA in Islamic law and theology from Zaytuna College and her MA in religious studies from Claremont Graduate University before joining Webb in 2017.
Jackie Leishman, Fine Arts
For Mrs. Jackie Leishman, who teaches Webb’s Advanced Art course, art is life and life is art. She approaches art as a way of seeing, interpreting and living in the world. For her, art is a way of asking and answering serious questions – as demonstrated by her recent work addressing climate change. Jackie teaches that creativity is a skill we cultivate, practice and enjoy daily, and that success and failure are both legitimate aspects of the creative process. In summer 2022, Leishman continued her education through an art residency in Italy, studying such artists as Michelangelo, Bernini, Raphael, and Caravaggio and creating a new body of work inspired by the history of Rome. This contextual understanding of the development of western art will inform her class discussions and aid her in cultivating student voices, vision and studio practice – as well as her own skills. Jackie joined Webb’s fine arts department in 2017 and holds a BA from University of Georgia and an MFA in photography from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.
For every faculty named, there are many more that should be recognized!
Mark Lauer, Humanities
Dr. Mark Lauer’s advice, recommendations, and solid sense of purpose permeate what he does both inside and outside of the classroom. Whether that’s helping his students navigate the big questions in Advanced Studies The Age of Enlightenment, or unpack the nuance in our cultural history in the 10th grade The American Idea course, Mark creates spaces that are inclusive, supportive of diverse voices, and asks students to find meaning, grounding, and perspective. Last year, Mark also championed the Breakfast Literary Magazine in Webb’s afternoon activities program, publishing literature and art that allow students to explore their imaginations, passions, and talents. Mark is genuinely enthusiastic, from his hearty hellos in the humanities office to his generous approach in the classroom. Mark is genuinely hip, just check out his stash of unique jackets and boots. Mark is also a bit of a trickster, as one colleague put it, “When I think of Mark, what comes to mind are his equal measures of gregariousness and mischievousness. No one is as ready to sit and talk about how things are going on in your life while simultaneously misleading you about the starting time of the next class rotation.” Mark’s spirit permeates through whatever he does, making Webb’s student, faculty, and community experience electric. In addition, Webb is so grateful that Mark is taking that passion for teaching and facilitating into the role of Lead Class Advisor for the senior class. The Class of 2023 is surely in good hands! For his dedication to helping everyone find balance, humor, and deeply grounded expression, the 2021-22 Laurence McMillin Excellence in Teaching Award goes to Dr. Mark Lauer. The Laurence McMillin Excellence in Teaching Award was established and endowed by David Loo ’79.
Lauren Hartle, Humanities
Unbounded teaching extends far beyond the classroom and far beyond what is classically thought of as teaching, and that is why Dr. Lauren Hartle immediately comes to mind when thinking of unbounded teachers. Lauren is kind, generous, open, and unbounded with her time, energy, and passion for the health and well-being of everyone around her. In the dorm, Lauren has developed deep connections with students, so much so that she receives almost daily updates on the goings on of Harry Styles. In academic support, Lauren reaches out to students to help plan and achieve both academic and life goals, helping students develop intrinsic motivation and self-worth. In the humanities office, at the lunch table, and on the weekends, Lauren is always willing to pitch in, to offer perspective, to clean up that last bit of trash, to offer an open ear. She is a champion for students, for faculty, and for staff, and she makes authentic connections with everyone around her. Webb is so grateful that she agreed to serve as Interim Chair of English and Humanities for the fall of 2022, and as Dr. Theresa Smith stated, “Lauren’s keen intellect, her deep care for students and colleagues, and her imaginative and inspired teaching make her a wonderful contribution to the faculty.” For her dedication to unbounded thought, actions, teaching, connection, and expression, the 2021-22 James T. Demetriades Prize for Unbounded Teaching goes to Dr. Lauren Hartle. The James T. Demetriades ’80 Prize for Unbounded Thinking was established and endowed by James T. Demetriades ’80.
Jean E. Miller Excellence in Teaching
Stephen Caddy, Math
Positive. Super high energy. Caring. Enthusiastic. Passionate. Canada. These are some of the first words that come to mind when people describe Mr. Stephen Caddy. Simply put, Stephen is an impact teacher. In the math classroom, Stephen inspires students through his energetic, accessible, and supportive approach. His impact on our volleyball program is hard to sum up in just a few words. However, in short, Stephen took a program that was struggling to field just enough players to play a game, to a deep, thriving, and extremely successful program – touting multiple wins, league championships, and CIF appearances. His players cite that “Mr. Caddy is always so encouraging and so positive. Always doing his best to build us up, not to tear us down.” Additionally, he has served as a WSC Lead Class Advisor for multiple years, successfully setting the tone for each class and ensuring that each and every student in the class feels a sense of belonging and place here at Webb. But, perhaps the most impressive part of Stephen’s time at Webb has been all of the energy and
joy he has brought to the Webb community beyond his normal duties. Whether it is taking students curling over the weekends or starting the infamous Webb Street Hockey League, it is safe to say that his enthusiasm for life has permeated through the community since the day he stepped foot on campus. For his deep commitment to all aspects of life at Webb and the impact that he’s had on all of our community, the 2021-22 Jean E. Miller Excellence in Teaching Award goes to Mr. Stephen Caddy. The Jean E. Miller Excellence in Teaching Award was established and endowed by the Affiliates of The Webb Schools.
Thompson and Vivian Webb Award
Nika Haleftiras, Science
Ms. Nika Haleftiras has had quite a large impact on our community in three short years. Arriving to Webb freshly out of her undergraduate experience, Nika jumped right in to all things Webb. A couple of her major contributions during her time here include the following: serving as a cornerstone of Webb’s Integrated Physics & Chemistry team; thoughtfully revamping the AP Environmental Science curriculum; serving as an integral part of Webb’s basketball program; becoming one of the only female WSC dorm heads in the schools’ long history; earning her master’s degree all while working at Webb full time (and through a pandemic!); attentively serving as a trusted advisor, mentor, and excellent baker for 9th grade students. It is pretty apparent that Nika has achieved quite a bit during her short tenure here at Webb. However, while these are impressive individual accomplishments, what is more impressive about her resume is how she always accomplishes these things with Webb’s best interest in mind. She prioritizes the success of her students and the needs of the school in order to ensure that at the end of the day, Webb is a better place. Her Alamo residents all rave about how “Ms. H was a key reason why we had such a tight-knit community in Alamo this year. Ms. H really cares about each and every one of us.” It is clear that Nika’s reach at Webb has been far and wide. For her deep commitment to the Webb community and the extraordinary impact that she has been able to make in such a short period of time, the 2021-22 Thompson and Vivian Webb Award goes to Ms. Nika Haleftiras. The Thompson and Vivian Webb Award was endowed by Edmund L. Piper ’43.
Malick Mbengue, World Languages
In so many more ways than one, Mr. Malick Mbengue embodies the spirit of the Pauwels Award. His love of French language and culture runs much deeper than what happens in his classroom. He exudes passion for travel and culture and has made a significant impact by sharing his personal stories and experiences with the community at large. Malick has a natural wanderlust and desire to connect his past to his present to better his future. In conversations he has had with colleagues as well as in his most recent request for professional growth, it is clear that his vision for the future of our French language program is tightly aligned with what Jacques Pauwels (Webb faculty from 1975-1994) envisioned for the future of language learning at Webb. With this award, Webb recognizes Malick’s contribution to not just the French program, but to making the community a better and more inclusive place. Additionally, Webb hopes that this award enables him to rediscover and reconnect with his roots, to encourage self-discovery, and to help Webb expand its roots. Webb hopes that this award serves as an affirmation of Malick’s deep contributions to our community and his sense of belonging here at Webb. In addition to his impressive work in world languages, Malick also coached the VWS varsity soccer team to its first CIF Southern Section title and their first-ever state championship this year. The team posted an undefeated season, going 8-0 in San Joaquin League play and 20-0 overall. Malick was named Coach of the Year for his tremendous work. For his intense love of world languages and bettering himself and those around him, the 2021-22 Jacques and Mimi Pauwels Award for Excellence in World Languages and Cultures goes to Mr. Malick Mbengue. The Jacques and Mimi Pauwels Fund for Excellence in World Languages and Cultures was established and endowed by Eric Pauwels ’79 in honor of his parents.
