Barbara Schakel (Head of School from 1995 to 2010)

What a marvelous opportunity I have had these past twenty-one years to be a part of this extraordinary school. This is a school in which each individual matters, a place where every student shines. It’s always been that way, and I know it will continue to be that way into the future. 

When I first came to The Marin School after ten years in a public high school, I was unprepared for what I found. I could never have imagined teaching in a school where teachers had such autonomy. I loved the opportunity to design my own curriculum, to develop projects that would inspire my students, to engage with others in a collegial way. The best part for me, however, was that with such small classes, getting to know my students was easy. I was able to quickly identify each student’s talents, strengths and challenges, and then adjust my teaching to better serve that student’s needs – something every teacher dreams of being able to do. 

In my early years at TMS, I added admissions to my teaching load. Doing admissions work was great because it offered me the opportunity to personally interview prospective students and parents, something I have continued to do until the present day. What a joy it is to sit down with prospective students and discover that they collect rocks or draw cartoons or make their own clothing. I’ve listened to them describe their academic “weaknesses” and in talking with them find out, in fact, that they actually love to write – poetry and short stories, even novels. I’ve met students whose teachers reported they didn’t participate in class, and yet, I engaged in exciting conversations with them about world affairs and social justice and art or music. It became so clear to me that while test scores and grades and teacher comments may have their place, all children have a passion for something, and if we can tap into that “fire” and inspire them, they will do wondrous things.   

My entire time at TMS has been a real outside-the-box experience for me – an educational and experiential “stretch.” I never dreamed that I would get to build a school – to be a part of each step of its growth. That “building” has been ongoing for all these years. We broadened our academic elective program and strengthened our core offerings; expanded the visual and performing arts program; moved to Sausalito; built a new theater and internet café; added a Learning Center, a college placement program and a counseling program. We built a much-needed multi-use space where we have come together as a community for Obama’s inauguration, slam poetry events, author events, African dancing, documentaries, parent events and more.

My vision for The Marin School has been realized - TMS truly is a school that changes lives. I am grateful to the faculty and staff, the students, the parents and trustees, my family and friends, all who played a role in the development of this program. I have experienced the greatest joy an educator can have as year after year, we have celebrated our students, those who not only found their way through the challenges of high school, but who have emerged as dynamic, creative, empowered young men and women, ready to make a difference in the world.

Thank you to all who have been a part of this great adventure.