Students Become Teachers

The Brendan Court ’06 Summer Enrichment Program celebrated its 20th year of welcoming local Dallas students to campus. For two weeks in June, 40 rising seventh- and eighth-grade boys from Dallas-area public schools spent their days refining their academic knowledge, discovering new interests, and developing leadership skills, all under the tutelage of St. Mark’s student-teachers. In addition to offering a tuition-free program for local students, the Brendan Court ’06 Program also provides a space for current Marksmen to explore the world of education, teaching classes and organizing activities for the visiting middle school boys. This year, 22 Marksmen volunteered part of their summer to teach and lead the program.  

“This experience completely changed how I'll view my own teachers when I return to school this fall,” said Avi Aggarwal ’28, one of the Marksman volunteers. “I have a much deeper appreciation of the thought, preparation, and flexibility that go into every lesson. I realize that teachers are constantly reading the room, adjusting their plans, and finding new ways to keep students engaged, even when things don't go as expected.” 

Each morning began with a leadership message delivered by St. Mark’s students before the visiting students headed to their core academic classes: English, math, science, and history. The rest of the day included indoor and outdoor games, lunch and snacks, and a series of special electives hosted by St. Mark’s teachers, including ceramics, rocket science, 3-D woodworking, and a planetarium show.
 

“Volunteering to be a teacher in this program showed me just how much responsibility our own mentors carry every day,” said Emiliano Mayo ’27. “They are responsible not only for our growth in the classroom but also outside. They build up our character in ways that we rarely imagine, and having that responsibility in my hands was truly something special.” 

Several special guests also visited and spoke to the students throughout the session. Recent graduate Jadiel Sarfo ’25 presented on college and career opportunities and gave a violin performance. 

The Program is led by Jorge Correa, St. Mark’s Director of Community Service and Spanish teacher. From Correa’s perspective, the experience benefits everyone involved. 

“Our Marksmen experience teaching, learn to work in collaboration with other students, and they also engage with students who come from varied backgrounds. On the other side, our campers acquire academic skills to reinforce their knowledge and enjoy some of St. Mark’s incredible facilities, like the fieldhouse and planetarium. Most important, they have the opportunity to learn leadership skills modeled by our Marksmen.” 

The Brendan Court ’06 Summer Enrichment Program honors the memory of a beloved member of St. Mark’s Class of 2006.