In the Spirit of Dr. King

Dr. King believed that “the function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically.” That belief remains central to the educational philosophy shaping Marksmen today.

In her Spanish IV: History and Culture of Spain course, Isabel Cisneros sees that philosophy come alive each day. “One of my favorite things is for students to use their Spanish skills to compare their real-world experiences in Dallas with what is happening in other parts of the world,” she said. “In addition to learning the material, my goal is to help students think critically and build a strong moral foundation. This approach not only enhances language skills, but also cultivates informed global citizens prepared to contribute positively to society.”

That emphasis extends beyond academics into the culture of the classroom itself. “If you ask my students, they’ll say that our class motto is, ‘¡Palabras positivas!’ (positive words),” Cisneros said. “Students remind each other to use positive words and positive actions. I believe ‘palabras positivas’ helps build kindness, optimism, respect, and self-awareness.”

That work begins long before students reach the Upper School. In Mrs. Morris’s second-grade classroom, students recently explored Dr. King’s life and legacy through writing and learning about his contributions, creating acrostic poems in his honor, and reflecting on their own dreams for the world.

Reading from his poem, Tristan Fleming ’36 wrote:
“Making people smile and giving them peace—
Younger and older, living happily—
Different skin colors live together—
Remembering and giving peace—
Everyone living together— 
At places people spend time—
Making people in the world happy.”

Those values are reinforced not only through academic study, but through lived experience, and through Dr. King’s vision of the beloved community, a society grounded in justice, compassion, and mutual responsibility.

“At St. Mark’s, there’s an ongoing effort by students, faculty, and staff to build a beloved community,” said Shiv Bhandari ’27, vice chair of the Inclusion & Diversity Leadership Council (IDLC).”On the individual level, difficult conversations and uncomfortable situations are encouraged, teaching the next generation of leaders to manage discomfort as a means of creating an environment where everyone is considered equal and feels understood. A beloved community isn’t one where there are never disagreements or conflicts. A beloved community is one where people choose to care for, listen to, and include others, regardless of their backgrounds, beliefs, or experiences.”

For many students, Dr. King’s words feel especially relevant when thinking about inclusion and belonging. Fellow IDLC member Terrence Cao ’28 pointed to a line from the “I Have a Dream” speech that continues to shape how he views community.

“When I think of Dr. King’s legacy, the part that stands out to me most is the quote, ‘I have a dream that one day little black boys and girls will be holding hands with little white boys and girls,’” Cao said. “I interpret it as a vision of a community where everyone is accepted and brought together. I’m part of many diverse communities, and I believe different backgrounds and ideas push a community forward.”

That emphasis on inclusion extends beyond reflection to action. Through athletics, arts, clubs, and community engagement, students learn that leadership is not defined by title or recognition, but by a willingness to listen, serve, and include others.

“Service couldn’t feel any more important regarding issues today,” said Jackson Barnes ’26, an IDLC member. “Teaching young men to serve communities both familiar and distant is an exercise in humility and selflessness.”

Barnes also sees Dr. King’s emphasis on unity as especially relevant in a school setting. “Dr. King often emphasized unity across different groups, both ethnically and socially,” he said. “At a diverse school such as St. Mark’s, competent leadership hinges on one’s ability to unite, but also individually recognize groups within the community.”

He believes Dr. King’s work remains unfinished, particularly in an era shaped by polarization and division. “With media becoming increasingly polarized and people falling into echo chambers, we need leaders who can encourage open-minded conversation,” Barnes said. “For meaningful change to happen, we need moral clarity, service in diverse communities, and the courage to speak up against mistreatment. I believe every Marksman has a role to play in that.”

That same blend of moral clarity and action defines the work of George Lewis ’00, a prosecutor with the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office who has served in the Civil Rights Division. In his career, he has seen how Dr. King’s belief that justice requires courage continues to play out in modern institutions.

“Administrations I’ve served under have enacted policies that require moral courage — like diversion programs for youthful, first-time offenders and assessments that address the underlying causes of crime,” Lewis said. “These policies aren’t always popular, but data shows they reduce recidivism and create better outcomes. After all, the primary duty of any prosecutor is not to convict, but to see that justice is done.”

Lewis traces his own resilience to lessons learned early at St. Mark’s. Entering the school as a fourth grader from a single-parent home in a predominantly Black neighborhood, he experienced culture shock and isolation. “It took perseverance to adjust to an unfamiliar environment and find my identity,” he said. “That experience made me a better person and laid the foundation for what I achieved in adulthood.”