[St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Day School] The Rev. Dr. Frank Sawyer will assume leadership of St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Day School, a preschool through grade 8 Episcopal school in Severna Park, Maryland, beginning July 1, 2012. Dr. Sawyer’s appointment as head of school follows a year-long, nationwide search. Dr. Sawyer comes to St. Martin’s-in-the-Field from Episcopal Day School in Augusta, Georgia.
“Throughout the interview process, Frank impressed our community with his thoughtfulness, enthusiasm, compassion, collegiality, wisdom, love of educating children, and faith,” said Frank Hilton, chair of the school’s board of trustees.
“When I visited St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Day School, I was struck by the excitement students expressed about learning and their engaging manner,” Dr. Sawyer said. “I was impressed by the faculty’s commitment to educating the whole child and their ability to meet the individual needs of their students.”
“I observed a culture of respect among students, between students and teachers, and among the faculty and the parents whom my wife and I met. I saw that at St. Martin’s-in-the-Field people helped each other, practicing the Christian ideal of service and generosity in everyday school life. I’m looking forward to leading St. Martin’s-in-the-Field in its mission of offering a distinctive educational experience, inspired by inquiry, grounded in faith, and welcoming to all.”
Dr. Sawyer has been engaged in Episcopal school administration and teaching throughout his career. He received a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and a master of divinity degree from the University of Toronto. He took a year from his graduate studies to teach English in Prague, Czech Republic. He received his doctor of ministry degree from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, a member school of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California, where he focused on issues in Episcopal school education and wrote his thesis on the spiritual life of boys in Episcopal schools.
In the classroom, he has taught at every level, from preschool to college. At Episcopal Day School, he served as chaplain and chair of the religion department and was involved in every aspect of governing a school, including institutional advancement, financial sustainability, faculty recruitment, and program development. Previously, Dr. Sawyer served in schools in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Dr. Sawyer is married to Ginnelle Elliott, whom he met in college. Their two daughters, Maggie and Pippa, will attend preschool and elementary school at St. Martin’s-in-the-Field.
“We welcome Dr. Sawyer and his family to our community of students, parents, faculty, staff, Vestry, church, alumni, and friends,” said Louise Knight, Board member and chair of the search committee. “We are a school that seeks to produce learners, leaders, and friends. We feel that Dr. Sawyer embodies these qualities and that he will inspire our children to seek these lifelong roles for themselves. We are looking forward to working with Dr. Sawyer, whom we have chosen to lead us into our future together.”