It is with mixed emotions that we announce the future retirement of Dr. Glenn Bender, our Dean of Academics and founding member of the Carlbrook School Board of Regents, at the end of this year. Glenn has been with us since the school's inception and it is with a heavy heart that we prepare to bid farewell to such an impactful, unique and beloved individual.
Carlbrook School has been privileged to be the final post for Glenn, as part of a long and dedicated career in private education. Among the other schools that have had the fortune of his contributions are Rocky Mountain Academy, Cascade School, Blue Ridge School and Academy at Swift River. In the words of Glenn himself, these schools represent his devotion to "resurrecting the spirits and academic prospects of adolescents who have made some breathtakingly ill-informed choices and taken some mind-numbing risks. These schools and the people associated with them have provided wonderful opportunities to contribute to the successful redirection of the lives of many students and their families."
Humility, compassion and a true devotion to imparting wisdom to others have made Glenn a cherished member of the Carlbrook School community. It is in this spirit that he briefly reflects on his career:
"It seems clear to me that on balance I have derived greater benefits than I have been able to bestow on others, not for want of trying but for want of greater understanding and foresight. Ultimately it is for others to identify what they may have gleaned from their association with me; these judgments may be formed decades after our last interactions. Teaching has always been like tending to orchards long before they bear fruit.
At this point if I had to name my career I should say, "Teacher." Administration, supervision, management, and leadership represent skill sets that have pretty much eluded me. Talking with people, colleagues, students, parents, and professionals has been very rewarding and stimulating. Truly, I have learned far more than I have been able to disseminate. It is very important to me to acknowledge, gratefully and humbly, the enormous debts I owe: Mrs. Caldwell, Miss Evans, Miss Crawford, Mrs. Lapolla, Mr. Mergler, Mr. Neher, Mr. Doran, Drs. Bing, Banning and Hay, Robert T. Kirkpatrick, Miss Bess Hutchins, Mrs. Miller, and Mr. Timothy Wildman. By far my greatest debt is to Linda Anderson, the woman whose husband it has been my honor to be, and who has been my guide and loving companion on the adventure. Each of these individuals gave me a gift which I hope I have honored and kept shiny with continued use.
I have been a very lucky man, and I know it. Others must say what they have been able to borrow from me, and they must decide if I have been a faithful transmitter of great kindness, compassion, encouragement, rigor and tenacity. I hope I have paid it forward."
Glenn announced his plans for retirement to the Board of Regents this past spring and the school has been conducting a nationwide search for his successor over the past several months. As a result of these efforts, we are pleased to announce that Christopher Soto, Ed.M., Ed.D. will be assuming the responsibilities of this position. Dr. Soto, who holds a Master's degree in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard University and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania, has worked with adolescents and their families for over 14 years, most recently at the Charter High School for Architecture and Design in Philadelphia. Dr. Soto will be joining the Carlbrook team next month and will be working with Glenn for the remainder of the year to ensure a smooth transition.
As Glenn moves toward this next stage of his life, we wish to emphasize that we have been truly honored to work with such an esteemed educator. The students, teachers, parents and professionals that have come into contact with him during his tenure at the school have undoubtedly benefitted from his presence. While everyone at Carlbrook will be saddened by his departure this winter, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for his many lasting contributions to the school as well as our hope that he enjoys a relaxing and well-deserved retirement.
Respectfully,
Tim Brace, Headmaster
Andrew Coe, Dean of Students
Kelly Dunbar, Dean of Admissions
Jonathan Gurney, Dean of Advising
John Henson, Dean of Administration
Justin Merritt, Dean of Faculty
R. Grant Price, Director of Development
Alison Streeter, Dean of Alumni & Transition Services
Floyd Wiseman, Medical Director
Carlbrook Schoolis a coeducational, college preparatory boarding school located on 200 acres in southern Virginia, designed to challenge and inspire students of high aptitude and potential who have struggled academically or socially in previous educational environments.