RETIRING FACULTY & STAFF

Sean Kenny, Upper School History/Social Science

35 Years

by James Scott

Since his arrival from the wider NYC area in 1988, Sean Kenny has impacted the life direction of 3,000 Trinity Valley graduates. His unique gift for higher level educational communication is without parallel, and no teacher or professor may be found anywhere to replicate his unique, personal sharing methodology. Combine the encyclopedic political knowledge of the most brilliant White House advisor of either party with the irrepressible wit of the fastest-on-his-feet comedian ever heard, and you have Sean Kenny. So professional in his voluminous and vociferous presentations and argumentations, students cannot tell if he is Democrat or Republican. Trusted counselor and role model for students, he holds the record for the largest number of annual college recommendations. He is the sage teacher and winning baseball, basketball, and weights coach whose popularity and sterling character has been a cornerstone of Trinity Valley’s reputation for greatness through the decades. (“He easily invokes laughter – more easily, sober perspective.” Trojan Walls dedication, 1994)

Mary Mac Elliott, Middle School History

27 YEARS

by Julie Knudsen

Teaching is a work of heart. Mrs. Mary Mac Elliott has embodied this sentiment throughout the span of her 50year career in education. She has touched the lives of thousands of students, molding, guiding, and shaping them through the care and love she has poured into each and every one. The bond does not stop when the student leaves her class: Mrs. Elliott’s alums return year after year to reconnect with her, and it has been her joy to have opportunities to teach the children of her former students. A quick glance in her room, and there is certain to be a student near her desk with Mrs. Elliott lending the most attentive listening ear and making that student feel as if he or she is the most important person in the world. Whether through storytelling or reenactments, Mrs. Elliott has a gift for making history come to life. Evidence of this extends beyond the classroom through Mrs. Elliott’s special legacy of the eighth-grade Washington, D.C. trip, which she established 33 years ago and is now tradition.

Mrs. Elliott also has been an integral part of TVS history. Mr. Seleny quickly and easily identified her warmth and heart before he hired her in 1972. Mrs. Elliott’s dedication to and deep love of Trinity Valley School, as well as her belief in its mission and values, is evidenced by her 27 years of service in three different stints. She was welcomed back each time not only with open arms but with full fanfare as a TVS favorite! As Mrs. Preston said, “Her blood runs Trojan blue.”

To have been taught by Mrs. Elliott is to have been loved by Mrs. Elliott. What a gift she has been to our TVS family.

Alan Buratto, Middle and Upper School Choral

20 YEARS

by Julie Knudsen

Passionate. Dedicated. Heartfelt. For 20 years, Mr. Alan Buratto has inspired and encouraged Trinity Valley musicians. Building on his experiences as the Artistic Director for Texas Boys Choir and accompanist for the Fort Worth Opera, “Mr. B” developed a strong Middle and Upper School choral program at TVS.

The warmth he shares with his students as he guides them in tone and develops their talents brings them back to his classroom year after year. He has prepared and encouraged his choirs to perform outside of his classroom walls - from assemblies and concerts to competitions and festivals. A talented pianist and accompanist, Mr. Buratto has continually been called upon to accompany Texas Private School Music Educators Association All-Region and All-State Honor Choirs. He has shared his love of piano with his students through their exploration of piano chords and compositions on the keyboards that line his classroom. Even within the confines of a pandemic, Mr. B wrote the script for the production of Thurgood Marshall: Civil Rights Champion, a joint effort between the Bass Hall Children’s Education Program and Stage West. This production featured Trinity Valley thespians and was presented virtually to schools across North Texas. We are beyond thankful for his many years of service at TVS and for the inspiration and influence he has graciously provided countless students through his patience, wisdom, and talent. Thank you, Mr. B, for the song you leave in our hearts.

Candace Smalley, Upper School Mathematics

12 YEARS

by Melissa Burkhead

In 2011, TVS’s hiring interest was piqued by the reputation of Ms. Candace Smalley, a leader with AP students in Moore, Oklahoma and with AP teachers throughout the world in the capacity of AP Calculus Consultant, table leader for the AP Calculus exam, Siemens Award Winner For Excellence in AP Teaching, recipient of The Stanford University Excellence in Teaching Award, and numerous other recognitions. After an email and a phone call to discuss a calculus teaching opening, she was invited to visit campus. During the visit, she taught a riveting related rates lesson and met with a fantastic group of TVS students. Soon after the visit she made the move to TVS. Instantly, students were developing calculus with the classic Ms. Smalley conceptual drive. She led many AP Calculus BC groups to succeed in The University of Texas at Arlington’s Calculus Bowl. As well, she highly recommended TVS reach out to the star Arkansas mathematics teacher Kathy Heller when a Middle School opening developed in 2012. Erin Esterlein ’13 summarizes Ms. Smalley’s contribution to TVS students perfectly: “Ms. Smalley was the most dedicated and patient teacher I had. She would meet with me every morning before school to review homework, quizzes, or tests that I struggled with. You could always tell that she wanted you to succeed and she would give you the tools and extra time to help you do so. I am so thankful for my time with Ms. Smalley and am so glad that she came to Trinity Valley to influence those that had her after me.”