John Van Leer Retirement Celebrations
After 39 years teaching on the hilltop, John Van Leer '65 is retiring. We're having a retirement party in his honor on June 4th from 6:30-8:30PM under the tent on Akin Common, with lots of food and drinks and Andy King as MC. RSVP to alumni@hackleyschool.org. (Must be 21 or older to attend.) Please join us to celebrate a true Hackley icon.
Alumni under age 21, you’re invited to a breakfast with Mr. Van Leer, Ms. Awad, Mr. Frauenthal, and Mr. Garrison – all of whom are retiring. Join us on Thursday, June 5th from 9-10:30AM in the Middle School Dining Hall. RSVP to alumni@hackleyschool.org.
A graduate of Hackley’s Class of 1965, John Van Leer is, in the words of Hackley historian Walter Schneller, “the school’s
most illustrious alumnus faculty member.” No one has done more — and in more different ways — than “JVL,” as he is
often known. He is a three-time winner of the Oscar Kimelman Award, given by college sophomores “to the teacher who by
the effectiveness of classroom teaching most contributed to his/her students’ progress subsequent to Hackley.” He held
the Davidson Family Chair in History from 2002-2007, the yearbook was dedicated to him twice, and this year, he won
the Anton and Lydia Rice Inspirational Teaching Award. John Van Leer has been a stellar Upper School history teacher,
teaching Anthropology, American History, and more recently, Government and Politics. He has coached teams, headed the
boarding program, advised Community Council, sat on the Board of Magistrates, represented the faculty to the Board of
Trustees, mentored dozens of teachers, advised and guided with no-nonsense caring countless students and advisees,
and cheered on legions of Hackley teams. All of this reflects what most defines John: his deep investment in all aspects
of Hackley life. He cares passionately about Hackley, and all benefit from his integrity, his attention, and his care.
To borrow from Marc Antony’s last words of admiration to Julius Caesar: Here was a teacher. When comes such another!
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