Author: Susan Davis

Written by Mrs. Nancy Teague

Dr. Larry Sorohan was my advisor in the School of Education at UNCG and he encouraged me to apply at this new school that was being opened in Greensboro for which he was on the Board of Directors. I admired him greatly so I did what he suggested, and the rest is history, as they say. I was hired to be the 2^nd grade teacher for the opening year of the school in 1970, my first teaching job. While the school was being built on the north side of town on Lawndale Drive, it wasn’t completed, so we spent that first semester at Temple Emanuel. I had 7 students – 5 boys and 2 girls. Ted Welles, who was the first Headmaster, let me know that we had to increase enrollment or they couldn’t afford me (or any of the other teachers for that matter) even though my salary was somewhere in the range of $7,000 for the year! (That obviously went further then than it would now!)

My now infamous story from that first year is this: We didn’t have a library at Temple Emanuel but were only a few blocks from the Greensboro Public Library’s main branch downtown. I knew the value of kids choosing books for themselves to read so I piled all 7 kids (5 in the back seat and 2 in the front passenger bucket seat) into my new 1970 Mustang, and drove them downtown to the library. Will Griswold ’81 tells me that they fought over who got to ride in the front next to the gear shift because I would let them change it. Can you imagine doing such a thing these days? There certainly weren’t enough seat belts for everyone!

The second year of the school I had 15 second graders in the new building on Lawndale Drive. I particularly remember Jo Ellen Stewart, the experienced 1^st grade teacher, who was so very helpful to this still new teacher. I also remember working hard to keep these kids challenged and engaged. I didn’t return to GDS the following year, choosing instead to finish my master’s degree at UNCG, and then continued my teaching career in Alamance County Schools.

In 1976, Tommy and I married and I became the step-mom to three GDS students, Lee, Heather, and Jason. Then we added our David to the mix and he entered kindergarten the year after Lee graduated. Jim Hendrix called Tommy a “recycled Dad.” When David was in 1^st grade, Sue Mengert offered me a job as assistant to their new conceptual math program, DMP, for 10 hours a week, $100/week. I hadn’t planned to go back to teaching, but realized that I needed to get back to working with kids which I loved to do. Jim Hendrix said that obviously I wasn’t doing this for the money!

Over the years of being in classrooms with the master teachers at GDS and being immersed in the math program, I had a unique perspective on the total program, K-6. My role as an assistant morphed into the role that I kept for many years, that of Lower School Math Specialist (which also included working with 6^th grade in the Middle School). It was the best of teaching jobs! And it led to being involved in the math education world outside Greensboro Day School. In the early 1990’s, 6^th grade math teacher Carol Williams and I were chosen to participate in a statewide professional development project called Teaching Excellence and Mathematics (TEAM), which led to our doing workshops with K-8 teachers all over the state. We started a yearly math retreat that we called NCAIS TEAM for teachers in independent schools across North Carolina. We did presentations around curriculum and instruction that focused on students learning to understand the mathematics and not just memorizing facts and procedures. Greensboro Day School became known for its effective, progressive math program.

At the end of the 2012-2013 school year, it was time to retire. But Greensboro Day School is not a place that you can easily leave. I’m still involved with some consulting with teachers around the math program, have done some workshops with LS teachers, and am doing some curriculum writing for the Lower School to keep the power of the math teaching alive as the school grows and changes. Greensboro Day School has been a major part of my life and will always hold a special place in my heart.

At GDS:
National Honor Society
Math Club
Chemistry Club
Yearbook Editor
Cross Country

After GDS:
UNC Morehead Scholar
BS in Chemistry, UNC
MD, Duke University (Fullerton Scholarship)
Chief Resident, Vanderbilt University
Researched infectious diseases in Rwanda
Father of 3 daughters

Andy Alspaugh was a member of the first class at Greensboro Day School to complete the 1st through 12th grades. He has always embodied all three aspects of the school’s motto: Friendship, Scholarship, Sportsmanship. He has worked for Duke Medical School since 1996, combining clinical care with research and education in microbiology and infectious diseases. Andy has received numerous scholarships and awards for his work and research in infectious disease, has published research in numerous medical journals and textbooks, and served on the editorial board for three medical journals. He is a professor of the departments of medicine, molecular genetics, and microbiology at Duke. His specialties in infectious diseases has led to a career working with those with compromised immune systems, especially those with HIV/AIDS.

At GDS
Newspaper Editor
Literary Magazine Staff
National Honor Society

After GDS
BA (Cum Laude), Smith College
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, NYU
Assistant clinical professor, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Written and published 4 books
Mother of 3 children

Cynthia R. Green, Ph.D., a 1979 graduate of Greensboro Day School, is one of America’s foremost memory fitness and brain health experts. Cynthia is the founder and CEO of TBH Brands, LLC and Total Brain Health, a leading provider of cognitive fitness training programs and services. She is a recognized expert in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

In 1996, Cynthia founded the Memory Enhancement Program at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. The success of this program led to the publication of her first book, Total Memory Workout: 8 Easy Steps to Maximum Memory Fitness. She has had numerous appearances on Good Morning America, 20/20 and Fox News; has been published in Time, Newsweek, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Prevention, and Parenting, and is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post.

At GDS:
Founded first Operation Smile Club in NC
Head’s List every semester
Athlete of the Year (2 years)
Track Records: 4×100 relay, 4×200 relay, 4×400 relay
Homecoming Queen

After GDS:
BA in Economics, UNC
NC Statewide Humanitarian Award
Founded UNC’s first Operation Smile chapter
Founded FAIR CHANCE
Mother of 4 sons (married Alex Marshall ’93)

When Amanda Taylor Marshall ’93 graduated from Greensboro Day School, one of the most important things she took away with her was “giving back and getting involved.” And she has done just that. “There were many organizations that had strong leaders and addressed an important need, but were unable to make the most of grant money. They simply did not have the know-how, the guidance, or the human resources to grow and strengthen.” she says. That’s why she founded FAIR CHANCE in 2002.

FAIR CHANCE partners with small, community-led organizations working with families and children in Southeast Washington, DC. She provides them with the support necessary to strengthen their organizations so that they can better serve their clients. In short, they help organizations that do good, do well.

At GDS:
Headmaster’s List
National Honor Society
Cum Laude
AP Scholar with Honors

After GDS:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Honors Program
Morehead Merit Scholar
Phi Beta Kappa
Received one-year liberal arts degree from Augustine College in Canada

Nathan Tilley, credits several teachers and experiences he had while at GDS as the reason he chose to pursue graduate studies in the humanities, namely Philosophy and Religious Studies, as well as a minor in Ancient Greek. “GDS provided me with a rigorous work ethic and passion for reading, in particular, that have enabled my studies and research to flourish at Chapel Hill.” Tilley said.

Tilley recalls his 10th grade history teacher who taught him how to read texts closely and to learn to discern patterns of thought. In addition, classes with Dr. Gutsell had a significant impact on his early intellectual development and turned a childhood love of reading into a lifelong engagement with texts and ideas.

While at GDS, Tilley was a member of the varsity cross country and baseball teams, performed in the jazz and pep band, and served on the Honor Board. His time on the Honor Board propelled him into working with the UNC-CH Honor Court, where he is currently serving as Chair. After graduating from Greensboro Day School, Tilley took a gap year and attended a one-year liberal arts college in Ottawa, Canada, which surveys the history of Western Culture through a variety of particular disciplines. He is currently applying to masters programs in Theology and Early Christian Studies, hoping to work on Early and Medieval Christian usage of Greek philosophical concepts and language or other philosophical aspects of Patristic writings.

At GDS:
• Summer exchange student in Chile
• Senior Project in Chilean copper mine
• Tennis, Cheerleading, Softball, Track & Field
• Double Tennis State Champion
• Honor Roll all semesters

After GDS:
• BA in International Studies, UNC-Chapel Hill
• MS in International Relations, London School of Economics
• US government award for “Extraordinary dedication, commitment, and personal risks taken.”
• Coordinates aid following international disasters

Lisa Doughten oversees the daily operations of the CERF, which is a global fund that disburses over US$450 million annually to crises wherever needs are most urgent, with the aim to save lives and protect people affected by emergencies.

Ms. Doughten has dedicated her professional life to humanitarian action. Prior to joining the CERF
secretariat in 2013, she served for five years as Senior Advisor for UNICEF’s public sector fundraising office based in New York, where she mobilized resources for the organization’s humanitarian and development programs for children in more than 190 countries and territories.

From 2004-2008, Ms. Doughten served as Senior Emergency Response Officer for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), where she managed a project to strengthen WFP’s capacity to respond to emergencies, as well as having been deployed on long-term emergency missions in Africa and Asia.
In addition to her 12 years working for the United Nations, Ms. Doughten also designed and implemented disaster preparedness and response plans for governments in Africa and Latin America. She began her humanitarian career working throughout the Former Yugoslavia for USAID’s Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance on the Disaster Assistance Response Team.

Ms. Doughten has worked in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. She received her Master of Science degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill in International Studies.

At GDS
• Citizenship Award winner
• President of Drama Club
• Best actor and best male vocalist awards
• Poet Laureate Finalist

After GDS
• Received BFA in acting from Howard University in 2013
• Attended a two-month Shakespeare Intensive at British
American Drama Academy in Oxford, England
• Scholarship to University of Missouri-Kansas City as an MFA Acting Candidate

Edwin Brown, class of ’09, fell in love with acting during his years at Greensboro Day School. In addition to serving as the president of the drama club during his senior year, Brown performed in several school productions including the lead role of the King in “The King and I,” “The Cherry Orchard” and “Les Miserables.” Brown also assisted with Lower School drama productions in addition to performing in the chorus and other school clubs and activities. He studied acting at Howard University, graduating with a BFA in 2013. While there, he was taught by the legendary Al Freeman, Jr., and shared the stage with Debbie Allen and Avery Brooks. After graduating from Howard University, he attended a two-month Shakespeare intensive at the British American Drama Academy in Oxford, England. He is continuing to study acting and dialect coaching in the master’s program at University of Missouri-Kansas City. He also recently received an acting credit on the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) for his work in a Smithsonian Channel remake.

At GDS:

• Senior Class President

• Chorus

• Varsity Basketball

• #30 Jersey Retired

After GDS:

• B.S. in Finance at Virginia Tech

• Virginia Tech Distinguished Alumni Service Award

• Virginia Tech Outstanding Service to the Institution

• Atlantic Coast Conference Hall of Legends

• Guilford County Athletic Hall of Fame

• Virginia Tech Athletic Hall of Fame

• Endowed the Wayne Robinson Presidential Scholarship Fund

• The Board of Visitors at Virginia Tech

• James A. Naismith Legacy Group

• Order of the Long Leaf Pine

• Father of 2 GDS Alumni

Wayne Robinson graduated from Greensboro Day School as the all-time leading basketball scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker, and was named one of the top 50 high school basketball players in the country. Following graduation, he went on to play for Virginia Tech and was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1980. Following a stint with the Detroit Pistons, he went on to play in Italy and Spain.

Whether as a professional basketball player, a church pastor or a corporate recruiter, Wayne continues to be the embodiment of the GDS motto of friendship, scholarship, and sportsmanship. He has influenced young people through this past work as president and CEO of the Center for Champions, the largest after-school and summer enrichment center in the Triad.

Wayne serves in numerous executive leadership roles. As the current President and CEO of Career Path Management & Associates, LLC (an Educational/Career Gateway for Exceptional Young Professionals), he has introduced fundamental principles and strategies for managing careers, decision-making and problem-solving. He also serves as the Triad NC Area Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and as the Senior Pastor of New Millennium Christian Center located in Greensboro, NC (since 2004).

At GDS:
• Cum Laude Society
• National Spanish Honor Society
• Environmental Club
• Student Council, Freshman and Senior Class President
• Basketball and Volleyball

After GDS:
• BA in Journalism and Mass Communications, UNC-Chapel Hill
• MPA in Environmental Science & Policy, Columbia University
• Rotary World Peace Fellow, University of Queensland (Australia)
• Served in the U.S. Peace Corps (1998-2000)
• Married with two children

While she was a student at Greensboro Day School, Sallie became interested in environmental issues and joined the environmental club, which helped fuel her interest. In the 7th grade, she learned about the Peace Corps and decided then that she would participate in that program. After earning her degree from UNC, she joined the Peace Corps and spent the next two years in Honduras working in rural villages to build potable water systems. From there, Sallie joined a Washington DC-based international development firm that sent her to Bolivia, where she spent three years supporting small-scale farmers and cooperatives in their efforts to access markets for their goods.

Sallie returned to graduate school to specialize in environmental policy, followed by studies in international relations as a Rotary World Peace Fellow, which led to a new professional focus in the field of international climate change policy. After a brief stint in Bonn, Germany at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Sallie took a job at Germany’s Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in their Climate Protection Program. At GIZ, she worked for more than five years as a climate policy advisor to the German government and its developing country partners. In 2013, Sallie and her husband relocated to Zurich, Switzerland, where they continue to reside with their daughter and son. Sallie continues to work in the field of climate change, most recently taking a position at a Swiss consulting firm as a climate change project leader.

By Marilyn Jones, Middle School Teacher 1978-2012

Webster defines families as:

1. All those persons considered as descendants of a common progenitor;
2. A group of people who are generally not blood-related but who share common attitudes, interests, or goals.

I have been a part of Greensboro Day School since August 1978. From the moment I walked down the corridors, I immediately knew that GDS was a special place. I became a member of a group of people (a family) who had common attitudes, interests, and goals. What a positive teaching environment! The Brooks Sabbatical offered me the opportunity of not only developing my teaching curriculum but also allowed me to trace my German ancestry. My sister was able to accompany me on a three-week sojourn to Germany and to enjoy the experience of finding our family’s roots.

My interest in finding my roots and telling my story started several years prior to my sabbatical. Craig Head, a member of the sixth grade team, suggested that we incorporate Alex Haley’s Roots TV mini-series into our advising curriculum. He shared that his parents and he watched the mini-series together in 1977. Craig explained how the series had made an impact on him. Of course, the team was excited about taking on the challenge. After many months of planning, we launched our new advising program. A valuable component of the program besides watching the edited videos and doing the follow-up activities was Telling Our Stories. Incorporating this into advising, the sixth graders began to investigate their stories.

A few years after the program started, Dr. John King met Nannie Haley, Alex Haley’s widow, in Beaufort during the summer. He shared with her our advising program which focused on Roots. He invited Nannie to visit the class to share her story. The sixth graders enjoyed hearing her story and how Alex wrote Roots. Needless to say Nannie’s visits became an annual event until her health kept her from spending time with us.

Meeting Nannie Haley and incorporating Telling Our Stories into our advising program encouraged me to trace my family’s roots. I was fortunate enough to share my journey with her.

How valuable is the Brooks Sabbatical to Greensboro Day School? I believe that it gives our teachers opportunities to engage in professional growth and to enhance their abilities to help their students learn in more meaningful ways. Recipients of the sabbatical can focus on improving their curriculum, fulfilling a life-long passion, or expanding their knowledge and expertise.  Not only do the teachers benefit but also the students and the school.  It is a win-win situation for all.