Ms. Shannon Clark joins the school this year as the new dean of faculty. Previously, she worked at boarding schools as a dorm parent, coach, and English teacher for over 20 years. Ms. Clark will be involved in hiring, supervising the work of department heads, and supporting the academic program.
What led you to Hotchkiss?
Before Hotchkiss, I worked at Noble and Greenough School. I was the head of the English department and director of studies for the upper school, and I also led the committee that redesigned student schedules.
I started realizing how much I enjoy working across disciplines with colleagues, and I began to think, what better thing for me to do than take on a new challenge in a new role? This year, I’m taking a break from teaching and coaching, but I look forward to supporting other teachers, coaches, advisors, dorm residents, and affiliates in this challenging but incredibly gratifying work.
What have been some of your first impressions of the school?
It’s an incredibly warm, tight-knit community. Among the students, there’s such vitality, clear intellectual curiosity, and eagerness in being part of the school. It’s the same with the adults. My husband and I were so warmly welcomed across the community. I’ve also fallen in love with the landscape. There’s something about being surrounded by woods and water, with the arching sky above you as far as the eye can see, that inspires a sense of gratitude and mindfulness.
What are the main aspects of your work as the dean of faculty?
I’ve been tasked with leadership and support of the faculty. I lead the heads of academic departments and support them in the work they’re doing to grow and re-evaluate the curriculum. I’m heavily involved in recruitment and hiring as well as onboarding.
I want to ensure that faculty members feel supported in working towards their professional and personal goals. That’s one of the most delightful things about a life in education—it’s part of your job to pursue lifelong learning.
I value community and relationship-building above all else. I think that to be effective in a role, you must have the skills of listening to and understanding the people you serve, their backgrounds, and what they care about.
What are some of your goals for this year?
I am working on getting to know the people and the culture of the school, as well as forging relationships. Whatever initiatives I will be part of launching or shepherding in the future are going to depend on the trust that’s engendered by those developed relationships.
I’m also working with department heads on initiatives that predate my arrival.
A lot of these have to do with an annual growth cycle for our teachers— making sure that we are making time for teachers to set goals and to receive regular feedback from their department chairs and my office.
It is important for us to know those goals, so we can offer support and direct faculty to professional development opportunities that help them improve and grow in areas that excite them.
Because independent schools don’t have to comply with state or federal board of education standards, we devise our own standards and accreditation organizations. This year, we will participate in the NEASC (New England Association of Schools & Colleges) re-accreditation process that happens every 10 years—an important certification that this school is worthy to receive students and educate them in preparation for college and life beyond.
It’s a great opportunity for us to put our departments through a review and look at the scope and sequence of the courses we offer, as well as explore how we might widen access to these courses.
What new initiatives or changes do you hope to introduce?
As a new member of this community, I feel humbled by this place’s history. One of the most important parts of my job this year is to listen and learn. I’m going to spend as much time as I can visiting classes and department meetings and getting to know the faculty, including their motivations and ideas about the school.
I need to understand and appreciate all of that before I work toward growth and change. I do not believe in change for change’s sake; I believe in change from genuine need. Once needs are clear to me, I will link arms with my colleagues to identify priorities and work towards development.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I love reading. My husband always teases me about my book collection, saying, “Can we please not bring new books into the house until we’ve read the ones here?” But for me, it’s about being prepared. I like to have new books waiting for just the right moment when I need them.
I also love running. I’m a distance runner, and I prefer trail running. I love getting outside and listening to the world around me.
I really enjoy traveling as well. I’ve done quite a lot, chaperoning various trips with students to different parts of the world, and I would love to continue this at Hotchkiss.
