MacGinnitie Award-Winning Faculty Drive Innovation at Marist School

4/30/2024

The prestigious MacGinnitie Award for Innovation was established in 2006 by Barbara and Jim MacGinnitie to provide recognition and professional enrichment opportunities to a Marist School faculty member, teaching or non-teaching, whose initiative and innovation have made a recognizable difference in the education program, the delivery of critical services, the school's standing in the community, and/or fidelity to the mission. Nominations and selections are driven by peer recognition, with recipients receiving not only accolades but also professional development opportunities and a stipend.

The award complements Marist’s endeavor to provide a vibrant educational experience, where innovation meets tradition in a blend of cutting-edge technology and time-honored pedagogy. Marist’s dedicated faculty lead the charge in preparing students to become compassionate servant leaders equipped to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.

Marist’s Advancement Office hosts an annual celebratory luncheon for award recipients to share their recent initiatives and inspire one another. This year's luncheon on April 5 showcased the spirit of innovation in education and the dedication of our faculty to continuous growth and enrichment for the betterment of the Marist community. It began with a meaningful moment of silence in memory of previous award winner and late band director Mr. Mark Craddock, who was honored in recognition of his impactful work to further the mission of Marist School.

The 2023 recipient of the MacGinnitie Award for Innovation is social studies teacher Mr. David J. Negus ’84. For 31 years, Mr. Negus has been a driving force in the transformation of Marist’s social studies curriculum. His innovative mindset has redefined the educational experience for both his colleagues and students who take his Advanced Placement (AP) World History and Contemporary U.S. & the Developing World courses.

Mr. Negus established the AP World History class at Marist 14 years ago, and the popular program has grown to nearly 200 students taking the course each year. When he believed the textbook to be below his standards for Marist students, he took the initiative to write his own materials to use for teaching the course. This ability to evolve in order to enhance student learning has not only influenced his students, but also has garnered praise from his colleagues.

Each past honoree also had the chance to share how receiving the award influenced their work and how they utilized the professional stipend to enhance their endeavors in the classroom.

English teacher Mr. Mike Burns delved into the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) in his classroom this year, exploring methods to utilize this innovative tool to augment student learning. Alongside Mrs. Kelly Crowe Mandy ’96, he also participated in the International School Experiential Education Network winter conference in Oakland, California, emphasizing outdoor education to harmonize hands-on learning with the emergence of AI.
Mr. Robert Von Hagan, the director of college counseling, highlighted the ongoing success of the counseling department’s summer internship program, "Career Connections," in providing rising juniors with invaluable professional experiences. This summer, 40 rising juniors are slated to participate in the program. Additionally, Mr. Von Hagan is involved in the development of a vocations retreat aimed at assisting students in discerning their calling.
Science teacher Ms. Sarah Conn remains steadfast in her support of the Foundations program for middle school students, now in its 20th year. Her advocacy for marginalized communities and her pivotal role in advancing diversity, inclusion, and belonging (DIB) initiatives by serving on both the Diversity Team and the Diversity Advisory Committee has greatly enriched Marist School. Ms. Conn aims to establish a Marist Way book club in collaboration with Mr. Michael Coveny ’81 to enhance awareness of the Society of Mary and how its values resonate with and promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
Mrs. Carol Rivera is also a member of the Diversity Team and the Diversity Advisory Committee. Additionally, she is the new chair of the science department. In this role, she is responsible for supervising and coordinating the science curriculum, faculty, and resources. She is excited to support the science teachers in delivering high-quality instruction while also focusing on onboarding new faculty members.
Fine Arts Department Chair Mr. Eric McNaughton ’90 highlighted various innovative initiatives from his colleagues within the Fine Ars Department. One standout example was the fall high school production of "Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Story," where McNaughton collaborated with Theater Technical Director Mrs. Anna Lee to incorporate projections on flats, creating a scenic portrayal of the entire production's location. When the storyline demanded a fictional setting from the novel, Mrs. Lee employed AI to generate an image resembling the described location. This innovative approach not only enhanced the production but also better prepared students, particularly those studying technical theater, for real-world professional scenarios.
Mrs. Amelia Gleaton Luke ’01 is the director of student leadership and activities. In this role, Mrs. Luke focuses on student leadership in addition to her previous focus on sustainability. Mrs. Luke recently returned from the California Association of Directors of Activities conference with a host of ideas for continuing to develop student activities and leadership at Marist.
English teacher Dr. Shannon Hipp ’94 provided an update on her latest teaching endeavor: a new unit on climate fiction inspired by her participation in the Environmental Literature Institute at Phillips Exeter Academy. In this unit, she takes her students outside the classroom as spring emerges, engaging them in writing, poetry, and exploring literature that delves into humanity’s responses to environmental challenges. Her aim is to encourage students to imagine and innovate solutions for the world around them.
Social studies teacher Dr. Nic Hoffmann ’03 has enhanced the curriculum of the combined English-History American Experiment course, which he co-teaches with Mr. Mike Burns. Additionally, alongside Mandy and Mrs. Jillian Bauersfeld, he conceived and presented an immersive theater experience on the history of surgery during the Civil War at the Annual Conferences of the Georgia Council for the Social Studies and the National Council for the Social Studies. Dr. Hoffmann also maintains 50 student podcasts, which collectively garnered 85,000 downloads over the past year.

We are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate Marist faculty who translated this honor into meaningful contributions to student learning. The recognition provided by the MacGinnitie Award for Innovation presents new opportunities for personal development and self-discovery, fostering a community where individuals not only excel academically but also cultivate compassion and empathy. Together, we shape a brighter future, grounded in shared values and a commitment to excellence.

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MacGinnitie Award-Winning Faculty Drive Innovation at Marist School

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