New and Returning Faculty United in Mission

“I have found my home, and I look forward to being part of the St. Mark’s community.” 

That’s how new second-grade teacher Kim Acosta described her first weeks at St. Mark’s. Acosta is one of 17 professionals who have joined St. Mark’s faculty and staff for the 2026-2027 school year, together representing a wide range of backgrounds and drawing from a rich well of academic and professional experience.  

“The reputation for excellence in educating the whole boy is one of the reasons I wanted to be part of the St. Mark’s community,” Acosta said. “It spoke volumes to me that so many faculty and staff find it difficult to retire from such an incredible institution. I also appreciate the fact that Marksmen contribute in meaningful ways within the Dallas community and prioritize making a difference in the lives of others.” 

Two moments from her first days on campus impressed her most. 

“The first is how Mr. Dini always refers to faculty and staff. We are all his colleagues, and he sees himself in this educational role alongside us,” she said. “The second brought a tear to my eye. At the end of Convocation, the Class of 2027 put their arms around one another as they sang the alma mater. This was a beautiful reflection of the strong sense of brotherhood our Marksmen have and what makes this community so special.” 

That sense of community is a common thread for this year’s new hires. Tim Ruiz, who has joined St. Mark’s as Director of Technology, points to the same reputation that drew Acosta in. 

“During my research and campus visit, it became evident that the faculty and staff’s impressive average tenure, along with the admissions rate, spoke volumes about the program’s excellence,” Ruiz said. “My initial experience with the school and community has been incredibly positive. Everyone has been welcoming and eager to help me adapt to the culture of the School and to the state of Texas.” 

The welcoming environment at 10600 Preston Road took root even before the school year began, when new and returning faculty and staff came together for a series of pre-sessional meetings, spending time on topics that included the School’s philosophy on artificial intelligence, the past, present, and future of Character and Leadership education at St. Mark’s, and the new faculty Character and Leadership Fellows Program.

The discussions on artificial intelligence were focused on making sure decisions are consistently guided by the School’s mission, values, and culture. Marion Glorioso-Kirby, Dean Clayman, and William Atkinson ’95 shared guiding principles in an opening conversation before faculty and staff broke up into smaller cross-divisional and cross-departmental discussion groups, where colleagues discussed both the challenges and opportunities presented by generative artificial intelligence and the age- and discipline-specific considerations that affect curriculum planning, instructional practices, and community culture. Time and again, conversations turned to the fundamental importance of developing the personal qualities, virtues, and character traits that are necessary for a life of thriving. Topics included the importance of forging strong and lasting student-teacher relationships, the power of personal mentoring, the value of the humanities and respectful discourse — all core elements of a St. Mark’s education. At the same time, there was enthusiasm for ways to strengthen the overall Marksman experience, where possible, by leveraging AI resources that could enhance student growth and learning, especially in the Upper School. These discussions will continue throughout the year, including during the faculty in-service day following Thanksgiving break.

In the Character and Leadership portion of the meetings, panelists spoke to how the work of character and leadership sits at the center of everything the School does, working alongside academic excellence rather than competing with it, and how that sense of ownership extends across boys, families, faculty, and staff alike. Panelists described the community as a relay team carrying the baton forward, with today’s faculty and staff responsible for deepening and expanding that work before passing it on to the colleagues and generations of boys who will carry it next. 

The sessions provide the community with a shared starting point for the year ahead, grounded in the School’s mission of educating boys to become men of character.

“Our pre-sessional meetings gave faculty and staff time to step back and think together about who we are and where we’re headed, from how artificial intelligence is shaping the classroom to the enduring work of building character and leadership in our students,” said Eugene McDermott Headmaster David W. Dini. “Those conversations reflect the heart of our mission: preparing boys not just academically, but as young men of integrity. As we begin a new year, I’m grateful for a faculty and staff who bring that same commitment to excellence to their work every day. I’m looking forward to what we’ll accomplish together on behalf of our students.”