With the close of the 2024-25 school year, four Blake employees celebrated their retirement. These individuals represent a combined 72 years of service at Blake. Each retiree has contributed so much to the Blake community, and their work will live on through the students, parents and colleagues they have taught, supported and inspired. 

The following are highlights from notes Blake community members shared with this year's faculty retirees.

Jon Halpern, Lower School counselor (41 years)

“I’m so grateful for Mr. Halpern’s wisdom and support during my daughters’ time in Lower School. He was a wonderful resource—not only for the students, but for the parents as well. His thoughtful guidance helped us understand which childhood conflicts were part of growing up and which moments warranted more attention and support. We especially appreciated his insight into friendship dynamics—particularly in groups of three. There were always strong personalities in the mix, each eager to lead, and he helped us see those traits not as challenges, but as early signs of the confident, capable young women our daughters are becoming. Thank you, Mr. Halpern, for your kindness, your patience, and the steady hand you brought to every conversation. I hope you enjoy every moment of your well-earned retirement.” —current parent

“In my earliest and most vulnerable years of parenting, Jon was a steady presence who helped ground me, while giving me guidance, perspective and support. When my kids needed a caring adult in the building, Jon was always there, giving them compassion, strength and confidence. I will always be grateful.” —current parent

“Mr. Halpern became known to our family as ‘Mr. Helper’ because our kindergartner genuinely thought that was his name since he helped her so much. She was right, of course, about his helpful nature! We appreciate his ongoing support from kindergarten through fifth grade and will miss him!” —current parent

“Jon, you felt like a friend, not just a counselor, and you will be so very missed at Blake.
However  you have done so much for others it is time for you to do some things for yourself. May you be delightfully spoiled throughout your retirement. I can’t think of a person who deserves it more.” —current parent

“Mr. Halpern has been an absolutely essential support system for our family since our kids came to Blake. He has helped them through family changes, gain confidence and know when to ask for help. We have a gratitude so immense it’s hard to put into words, but suffice it to say, we are lucky to have gotten the last four school years with Mr. Halpern and wish him a very happy, relaxing retirement!” —current family

Don Quinn, fourth grade teacher (18 years)

“Thank you, Don Quinn, for being such a great teacher and leader of after-school programs at Highcroft (including helping me take a crowd of boys fishing as part of Bears club— that was an experience!) You were such a caring and insightful teacher for [my son]. Have a great retirement— you will be missed!” —current parent 

“Thank you to the team who placed [our daughter] in Don's fourth grade class. She immediately felt a connection to him and was especially grateful for his support as she navigated her new ADHD diagnosis. He made her feel like it was her superpower, not a ‘disorder,’ and she continues to shine because of his patience, kindness and guidance. We all benefited from knowing him and will miss him beyond words.” —current parent

“Don Quinn will be missed! He taught our boys at a time that was one of the most challenging periods in history that many of us will ever face: the Covid era. And teachers had the hardest job imaginable. Yet, he brought such gravitas and levity to all the uncertainty and distance that our kids were able to maintain a sense of normalcy amidst what felt like very lonely times. He deeply understands children and parents alike. His personality was just the ‘tincture’ that one of our sons needed during a time of significant anxiety and worry. We are so grateful for this and always will be.” —current parent

“Don, you were essential in both of our daughters emotionally succeeding, which far exceeds anything else. Your kindness, patience and guidance was imperative to both us as parents and our girls as we all navigated through the challenges of emotional, social and academic growth. We are deeply grateful for the role you've played in our lives. Wishing you a retirement filled with the same peace, nature, thoughtfulness and joy that you brought to your classroom every single day.” —current parents

“Once at Highcroft, you were standing at the door of your classroom while we were walking past. You handed our family the book ‘A Moose for Jessica’ and told us we'd love it. We still have the book, and we indeed love it very much. My parents, who are from New England, remember when that moose story was in the newspaper, and three generations of our family have delighted countless times reading the book. Thanks for knowing just what stories a family needs and for sharing your many gifts with so many of us.” —current parent 

Mary Ellen Scott, Middle School learning specialist (10 years)

“Mary Ellen Scott is truly a hero. When my son started his journey in Middle School, it just happened to coincide with Covid. With his learning differences, we were worried that he would get lost in the pandemic shuffle—going to school every other day, independently managing Zoom and staying on top of a remote workload. Throughout his entire Middle School career, Mary Ellen was his advocate and champion. She met with him regularly and helped him learn how to advocate for himself and find success in ‘doing school.’ I will miss Mary Ellen as a colleague and will always have a fond place in my heart for her care and kindness in helping my son navigate his years under her tutelage.” —current parent and colleague 

“We were lucky enough for both of our children to benefit from your patience, knowledge and guidance around learning differences.  Thank you for all your time, dedication and lessons provided not only to our children but to many Blake students with learning differences. You are a special person and we are thankful to have had you as our children's teacher. Wishing you well and wonderful times ahead.” —current parents

Darryl Stang, kindergarten teacher (2.5 years)

“Thank you for being a wonderful teacher to [our daughter]. She is thriving thanks to your leadership. We wish you each an enjoyable retirement. You will be missed.” —current parents

“Mr. Stang, thank you for teaching me math. That was a great year and you are a nice, fun and funny teacher. I learned a lot in your class and liked talking with you about your favorite cookies. Thank you very much.” —former student 

“Mr. Stang was nothing short of heroic when he unexpectedly became the primary teacher for our second grade class. I don't recall a day when he wasn't his energetic, kind and thoughtful self. He ensured every student reached their reading milestones, he encouraged creative thinking and, most importantly, he made second grade FUN. Thank you, Mr. Stang! You will be missed!” —current family

“Mr. Stang was a tremendous teacher for [our daughter]. Her transition was tough, and he created an environment of consistency, safety, kindness and care. He is a rare teacher who is warm, kind but also clear, direct and sets high expectations for how the kids show up to one another, their teachers and themselves. [Our daughter] flourished in her sense of confidence as well as her reading, writing and math.” —current parents

“We were lucky to have gotten to know Mr. Stang when he first came to Blake for the second half of [our son’s] second grade year at Highcroft. He immediately felt a kinship with Mr. Stang that made him feel safe and confident in being himself. The following year, [our other son] was lucky enough to have Mr. Stang as his teacher for first grade, the inaugural year of the ELC! Mr. Stang took the time and energy to truly understand each child, support them academically, socially and emotionally and provide a fun learning environment for them to thrive in individually and as a group. We are so grateful to have had two years of Mr. Stang’s teaching and wish him a wonderful next adventure!” —current parents