Page 33 - Baltimore Fishbowl - 2017 School Guide
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EVEN AS A TEENAGER working as a summer camp counselor and wilderness program director, Calvert School’s Middle School Head Matt Buck knew his future career would involve kids. Later, as an undergrad at Williams College, Buck took a teaching internship and explains, “I was immediately hooked.”
Upon his graduation, Buck returned to his hometown of Baltimore and spent 14 years
at Gilman School as a teacher, coach, advisor, heading to Calvert. A 1987 Calvert graduate, Buck was intrigued by the school’s newly conceived middle school and knew he wanted tobeapartofit.
“As a boy, I felt happy and very proud about being at Calvert. Important things were happening and you felt part of something grand and exciting. I loved my teachers and
LAST FALL, MIDDLE SCHOOLERS AT FRIENDS SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE welcomed a new face, Middle School Principal Jay Golon. No stranger to independent schools, Golon brought a rich background and a strong résumé to the school.
Before arriving at Friends, Golon spent eight years at The Dalton School in Manhattan. There, he served as a history teacher, house advisor, department chair and, for the last and teaching, and dean of students. In addition, Golon taught and coached at the Trevor Day School in Manhattan and the Epiphany School in Massachusetts.
Head of School Matt Micciche believes
that Golon “brings the experience and the enthusiasm, intellect and vitality to lead the middle school in its next stage of growth.”
Golon received a B.A. in American studies and theater from Wesleyan University and
thought they were gods,” says Buck.
Matt Buck
Calvert School
He adds, “When I saw the middle school developing at Calvert, I became curious about taking part in that.”
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the middle school has exceeded Buck’s expectations while still honoring the Calvert that he knew as a boy.
“There’s a very palpable bon vie here, a real spirit of kindness and openness and intellectual pursuit,” explains Buck.
In the middle school, Buck fosters this spirit, focusing on the unique social and cognitive needs of his pre-teen and young adolescent students.
anniversary, Buck says, “We are excited with what we have built, and look forward to further growth and enhancements in the years to come.”
a master’s degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education’s leadership program. He likens his theater background to working in a school.
“In theater, as in schools, you have a group of people coming together, bringing very different talents and expertise to create an experience. In theater, it’s a show; in schools, it’s a class, or a team,” he says.
Golon is particularly drawn to working with middle schoolers: “Middle school sees
the greatest developmental range in the shortest amount of time, and that makes for an interesting and challenging learning environment.”
But it’s middle schoolers’ unique perspective that endears them to him: “They are stunningly honest. At least once a day, usually more, I laugh from my soul because of something a kid does, or says. For me, that’s one of the most restorative things ever.”
Jay Golon
Friends School of Baltimore
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