Wide open and fenceless. That was the Saint Stephen’s campus in the 1970s. Where the High School and new green Middle School stand now, there was nothing more than a strip mall of local businesses and the 198 students that attended were divided up into three divisions; High School, Middle School, and Lower School. Where the current Intermediate Schoolers sit in class today, High Schoolers once roamed the halls. The upstairs offices of the Christ Church were home to Middle School students, and the Lower School was comprised of only ten doors within a series of trailers. So how did this one building school evolve into the five building, 650+ student academic institution it is today? Several of the teachers at Saint Stephen’s today taught in the early years of the school, and they have aided in the school’s progression from day one and continue that support every 

28 years ago, current Head of School Dr. Jan Pullen, was hired as the Lower School Director, kick starting her career as a Saint Stephen’s teacher, and she has been motivated towards the progression of the school has continued ever since. Dr. Pullen herself said that her constant goal was “to grow an Upper School by growing the enrollment in the Lower School grade levels and moving this growth up to the Upper School over the years–and we did it!.” Dr. Pullen’s time as the Lower School Director was one that gave her a sense of what the school was like for all ages of the school. She is very grateful that she has been at the school long enough to see the culmination of all her ideas and hard work she has put into this school. She says the most important aspect of what she does here is that she has had the opportunity for almost three decades and she says, “I love seeing children grow and learn and at Saint Stephen’s I get to see children go from age 3 to 18. I never tire of that.”

Another director who is nearing her second decade of teaching at the school is Mrs. Sallie Ivin. She has been incredibly impressed at the development of the school both internally and externally. Starting from when she came in 1996, the progressions that have been made in particular, “the physical plant has changed in so many ways with the new buildings as well as the amazing new stadium, dock, and marine science center. Physical plant aside, the school has grown in so many internal ways as well. The curriculum continues to get stronger all the time. We have an incredible global program with connections in over 20 countries as well as a marine science program second to none.” Mrs. Ivin has benefited this school in many ways through her years here as both a second grade teacher and now as the Intermediate School Director. She has been incredibly grateful and attributes much of the school’s progression to her inspirational coworker Dr. Pullen, “She is a very visionary leader who is always looking at how to be better. She is not one to rest on her laurels and has instilled in all of us the need to keep raising our expectations and raising our level of excellence.” Mrs. Ivin continues seeking to improve the school even further from where it started when she was hired.

Another teacher who has been a major component towards the betterment and progression of our school has been Mrs. Anne Marie Shields, and for 31 years she has put her heart and soul into her teaching each and every day. I caught up with her and what she had to say about the progression of our school:

HH: What was the school like at the time you started?

AMS: Very small classes and an entire student body of 100.

HH: What were the goals of the school at the time?

AMS: Much the same as now, educating the whole student in preparation for a successful college career

HH: How has the school changed as a whole?

AMS: With more students we have more opportunities. We can offer more and different courses, many more clubs and extracurricular activities are supported by students who are like-minded, more faculty can provide more points of view for students and classes and students are more likely to find a friend or friends who have similar interests. The number of buildings have increased providing space for each division to expand and provide state of the art educational support with the increasing technology. As information technology advanced the school has harnessed ideas and hardware to expose students to the enormous wealth of ideas and information available electronically beyond the confines of Saint Stephen’s.

HH: Who has a been an impactful coworker and why?

AMS: I feel very lucky to have worked with Dr. Ann Wolcott. Her kindness and sense of adventure made her tenure as Middle School Director a time when I felt supported as an educator and as a person. She is always willing to say, “let’s try it” to new ideas that would provide students and faculty with opportunities to grow.

HH: Has your personal teaching evolved over the years?

AMS: Part of my teaching has stayed very much the same. I want each student in my class to feel affirmed in their ability to learn and enjoy the study of science. A major shift in educational philosophy has shifted my own lesson crafting from teacher-led activities to more cooperative learning.

HH: How have the students changed how they want to learn?

AMS: Electronics have an enormous draw for students which I try to incorporate when designing lessons. Even so, I continue to notice that students do best when they develop a relationship with each of their teachers – they feel connected and cared for, and are more likely to ask for help as needed.

HH: What was the most memorable year for you?

AMS: My first year at Saint Stephen’s, 1985-1986. As a product of quality public education in New York I thought that I understood good teaching and learning. My high school graduating class had 350. I had not been exposed to the close knit community that characterizes Saint Stephen’s. I was thrilled to find a school where I was encouraged to be creative in teaching and connected to my students and their learning.

HH: Why have you stayed here this long?

AMS: I love working at an amazing school with amazing students and amazing colleagues.

Our teachers are the driving force to our school’s success and the remarkable growth of Saint Stephen’s is attributed to all their hard work and dedication. The theme of this school year is #change, but the mentality of Saint Stephen’s has been towards the betterment of the school for the past 40+ years.