Farewell
As we mark this year’s retirements, we pause to recognize a group of colleagues whose contributions leave a lasting imprint on Hackley. Together, these seven colleagues represent an extraordinary 249.5 years of service, and we are deeply grateful for the impact they have made on generations of students and families.
Anne Budlong will be retiring this year after 42 years of service to Hackley. She began as a student teacher in 1981 and joined the faculty in 1982. She has taught second and fifth grade, served as Lower and Middle School computer coordinator, and taught Middle School computer science. Anne also oversaw Hackley’s first-ever website and contributed broadly to school life as a coach of field hockey, lacrosse and swimming, and as co-advisor of the Dial, among many other roles. She directed the summer school program and worked across all three divisions. The parent of two Hackley alumni, Sam '10 and Katherine '11, and part of a multigenerational Hackley family, Anne was recognized last year with the installation of her gargoyle overlooking Akin Common. Her dedication and impact on generations of students will be deeply felt.
Karen Casper will be retiring this year after 34 years of service. Karen came to Hackley in 1992 as a Middle School math teacher and has taught math in both the Middle and Upper Schools, along with her significant contributions to athletics, global education and senior projects. She was the first coach of the Girls’ Varsity Golf team and also coached lacrosse, basketball and tennis. Karen led one of Hackley’s first Casten trips to Russia, Estonia and Finland in 2003, and later led a trip to Rwanda in 2011. She has excelled in one-on-one work with students, whether in the classroom, giving extra help, as an advisor or during her several years as senior project program coordinator. Karen is also the proud mother of a Hackley graduate, her son Danny ’19.
Kerry Clingen will be retiring this year after 42 years of service. Kerry arrived at Hackley in 1984 and will remain a fixture in our math and science departments until her departure. She is a two-time endowed chair recipient, having received the first Akin Family Chair and the Head of School’s Chair. She has been a superb advisor to students and a formal and informal mentor to countless teachers. Kerry also launched Hackley’s Peer Tutoring program and worked to make it an integral part of the Upper School culture. She is the mother of two Hackley alumni, Elaine ’05 and Brian ’10, and we celebrated the installation of her gargoyle overlooking Akin Common last year. Kerry’s career-long commitment to growing as an educator, which will remain evident even in her 42nd year, has set an outstanding example for all of us.
Sue Harmon will be retiring this year after 33 years of service, leaving a powerful legacy of relationships and love of Hackley with generations of students and colleagues. She joined Hackley in 1993 and has been a mainstay in the life of the Lower School ever since. Sue was a recipient of the Akin Family Chair, the Hilltop Award and the DelMoro Award, but her most meaningful acknowledgements come when former students return, years or even decades later, to reconnect with her. The mother of two Hackley graduates, Kathryn ’13 and Molly ’16, Sue has been one of Hackley’s most vocal supporters, and her ability to instill our core values in her students will be deeply missed.
Ronni Paradiso will be retiring in January 2027 after 39.5 years of service as Hackley’s bursar. For almost four decades, she has been an integral part of the Finance Office and the broader school community. Her intelligence, dedication, conscientiousness and strong work ethic have helped shape and sustain the strong financial foundation we rely on today. She has always shown a willingness to take on new challenges often head-on and with determination ensuring that things got done, no matter what. Her commitment, loyalty and steady friendship will be greatly missed by all who have had the pleasure of working with her.
Richard Robinson will be retiring this year after 29 years of teaching English in the Upper School. For multiple generations of students, Richard, affectionately known as Doc Rob, has been the quintessential English teacher. He served as English Department Chair for more than 20 years. One of Hackley’s most versatile Upper School English teachers, he has taught every grade level and a wide range of core and elective courses, bringing his characteristic passion, evident love of literature, and delight in seeing his students wrestle with the texts and ideas at the center of the discussion. Richard held the Sternberg Family Chair from 2006-2010 and the Alumni Humanities Chair from 2015-2019, and he received the Kimelman Award in both 2005 and 2015.
May Steinberg will be retiring this year after 30 years of bringing music, joy, collegiality and a strong work ethic to the Hilltop. She has served as the director of the HackGlee club, led our Extended Day program as both the director and assistant director, and supported the community in countless ways, from playing piano for performances to welcoming Lower School students in the morning. She developed the tone chime curriculum in the Lower School and has led students in their grade-level performances, including “Flat Stanley,” “Americana,” the Spanish concert, and “Character Matters.” May received the Lambos Award in 2005 and is the mother of two Hackley graduates, Tim ’15 and Becky ’20. We wish May the best as she departs Hackley, and we thank her for all the music she brought into the lives of our Lower Schoolers.
