Springer Stories

Jesse Hardman was once a kid who didn’t see college in the cards—and went on to become a Fulbright Scholar whose life’s calling is educating the next generation of upstanders and changemakers. A passionate advocate for whole-child education and a champion for equity, justice, belonging, and empowering student voices, SSFS’s incoming Head of Middle School has an educational philosophy that closely aligns with the School’s Quaker values. He brings a heartfelt commitment to supporting teachers, equipping students, and partnering with families and caregivers to cultivate a joyful, courageous, and mission-aligned learning community. Learn more about what drives his work—and what he’s most excited about as he steps into his new role at SSFS.

From the moment Vanderbilt-educated communications major Kay Mason stepped into a first-grade classroom as a student teacher, she knew she’d found her calling. Over three decades later, that same passion for sparking curiosity, cultivating interdisciplinary connections, and fostering a strong sense of belonging in young learners continues to guide her. As she joins Sandy Spring Friends as Head of Lower School, she brings with her a deep well of teaching and administrative experience, a commitment to listening and learning, and a powerful alignment with Quaker ideals. Learn more about our dynamic new Lower School Head from our recent conversation with Kay!

After 10 years in private practice as a home-based special education therapist, Carolyn Donovan first stepped onto the SSFS campus as a substitute teacher. Getting to know the people and the experiential learning practices at the school motivated Carolyn to join the SSFS community in 2021 as both a parent of two elementary-aged children and as a 6th Grade Humanities Teacher. Learn more about some of Carolyn's favorite classroom projects that bring novels to life, how she reveals the real-world applications for academic skills, and the joy she finds in teaching middle school students—both in the classroom and in the great outdoors!

For Erin Scott P ’17, ’22, teaching Kindergarten at SSFS isn’t a job—it’s a lifelong calling. Over the course of more than a quarter century, she has nurtured the curiosity of countless young learners, guided by the School’s Quaker values, her belief in the importance of experimenting and making mistakes in order to learn, and her commitment to the power of play. Whether teaching college courses, composing music for grade-level plays, or learning an entirely new way to teach literacy over two decades into her career, this bilingual self-proclaimed “research nerd” brings creativity, warmth, and dedication to everything she does—and she shares tips to help families foster Kindergarten readiness.

From being part of the team that brought Kohl’s to the East Coast to leading the Upper School team at Sandy Spring Friends School (SSFS), Meredith Shankle P ’22’s career has been anything but expected. Meredith has a passion for details, a logistically-oriented brain, and corporate-level management experience, but those who have worked with and alongside her also value and appreciate her warmth, humility, and heart for connection. In her eleventh year at SSFS, Meredith reflects on the learning that feeds her insatiable curiosity—from her many diverse roles at the School to a recently-earned M.Ed. from Vanderbilt—and the Quaker values that inspire her respect for every job on campus. Most of all, she expresses deep appreciation for the close-knit community she’s found at the School and the talented and inspiring individuals that she’s come to consider family.

From tagging along with his mother to the independent school where she taught when he was a child, to earning a master’s degree in early childhood teaching and serving as a dynamic second-grade classroom teacher at SSFS, Philip Mallari’s journey as an educator has been one of deep purpose and continual discovery. Philip’s gentle manner and inspired teaching philosophy foster both the academic and emotional development of his students. Read the full article to learn more about his approach and how he incorporates his role in SSFS’s Office of Institutional Equity, Justice, and Belonging to benefit all Lower School students and faculty—and for scripts families can use at home to help kids resolve conflict.

Finding purpose and promoting access through education has been a cornerstone of Candice Ashton’s life and career. Raised in Southeast D.C. by a strong single mother who instilled the values of academic excellence and hard work, Candice experienced firsthand how educational opportunities transform lives. Her own journey has been shaped by resilience, curiosity, and a commitment to equity and inclusion. Now, in her ninth year at SSFS, Candice reflects on her numerous roles within the community, her passion for student growth, and how the school’s Quaker values guide her work.

How do decades of experience in residential education shape an approach to community and connection? For Dr. Tiffany Evans, Assistant Head of Upper School at SSFS, it’s all about the students—specifically, building and supporting programs that meet the needs of each student while keeping their family connected to the educational process and supporting and empowering faculty. With a background in psychology, social work, and leadership in diverse educational settings, Tiffany brings a wealth of experience to her role—and a deep appreciation for the School’s Quaker values.

How is discipline related to dancing? Upper School Dean of Students Jim Gagne connects the dots, from how he came to choreograph a dance piece for performance to his approach to decision-making and accountability with Upper School students and their families. This “Quakerly” Springer is full of surprises, including surprising himself—by how deeply Sandy Spring Friends School's values have become ingrained in his life, both on and off-campus.

Congratulations to Upper School History teacher Mark Ehlers, Ph.D., on the upcoming publication of his new book, Napoleon in America: Bonaparte and the Rhetoric of Empire, 1800-1850! We recently sat down with Mark to talk about his book, his journey from a career in the military to teaching at a Friends school, and the importance of informed citizenry and civil discourse in the classroom.

Whether you’ve run into Middle School Head and Interim Lower School Head David Blake (P ’23, ’25) chatting about algebra with a Kindergartener, cheering on a middle school runner at a cross country meet, or discussing hip-hop culture with his Upper School son, you might want to know more about this administrator who left the business world behind for education—and never looked back. Learn more about what makes this Springer tick, how he’s approaching his new role, and what he loves about the SSFS community.

Last summer, Donté Tates began leading SSFS’s Middle and Upper School English Department. An educator since 2005, he felt like he was coming full circle, having taught at a school in nearby Hyattsville, MD, early on in his career. Donté has found a welcoming home on campus, and he has been struck by how, deeply grounded in its Quaker values, SSFS “sees the light in everyone.” Read insights into his life, past experiences, and what he looks forward to sharing with the SSFS community.  

As a senior during the 2021-2022 school year, William Henderson set his sights on an ivy-league-caliber school. Thanks to the personal attention and support of the College Counseling Department—which, he says, is “really good at matching students to the schools that fit them”—William is now a sophomore at the College of William & Mary and soaking up all that college life has to offer. In this spotlight, William shares five ways SSFS helped prepare him for college and reach his potential.

Two months into her freshman year at Northwestern University, SSFS alumna Clara Shapiro '23 reflects on her SSFS experiences: the college counseling process, Quiz Bowl memories, and the Quaker values that keep her grounded. 

She credits SSFS with nurturing a sense of bravery and self-worth, skills she needed to make the leap to college: “I graduated feeling valued, smart, and prepared.”

In her second year of teaching at Sandy Spring Friends School, Barbara von Salis has already made an indelible impression on faculty and students alike. An Upper School history teacher and advisor, Barbara shares, “I’m really passionate about Friends education—I grew up Quaker, and attended Brooklyn Friends, K-12." A passionate believer in progressive education, Barbara sought a school with similar values, and has found it in SSFS. “Especially with history, it's common to find traditional classrooms, but I’m interested in a new and integrated approach. After all, history is all about stories and people, so I try to make it relatable, even if we’re studying people from thousands of years ago.”