Every year, Blake recognizes a faculty member who has taken the time to give of themself to students in a special way—as mentor, confidant, tutor, or friend—and a staff member who has gone above and beyond in their role at Blake. 

The 2023 Juliet Nelson Award goes to fourth grade teacher Don Quinn. In nominating Don for this recognition, a parent wrote of a number of physical and emotional struggles their child experienced this year and all of the ways that Don helped him––and his parents––navigate those struggles in a way that allowed their child to have a joyful and transformative year.  

The 2023 Staff Recognition Award goes to Upper School lead maintenance Russ Gronlund. In her announcement of Russ as this year’s winner, Associate Head of School Anne Graybeal shared:

“Whether he’s responding to a last minute request for an event set up, removing a rogue bat in Anna Reid’s classroom, closing the windows that we’ve opened and forgotten about, or hauling absolute metric tons of compost and recycling and trash, Russ Gronlund helps to keeps [the Upper School] safe, functional and clean for all of us.”   

Congratulations, Don and Russ!