St. John’s Episcopal School
Bio – Mark Crotty
Mark Crotty’s experiences as a young soccer player influenced his development both as an individual and a team member. The early support of coaches, teachers and mentors helped steer him to education. Throughout his career—as a coach, classroom teacher, assistant head of school and today, as an administrator at The Greenhill School—he has delivered on the fundamentals while maintaining focus on the larger purpose of educating children—helping shape them as people. Mark’s career began at The Episcopal School of Acadiana, near Lafayette, Louisiana, where he served as English teacher, dean of students and assistant to the headmaster. In 1990, Mark moved to Dallas to join the faculty at The Greenhill School. His expertise has been recognized in the various positions he has held during his nearly 20 years at Greenhill, where he currently serves as director of curricular programs for pre‐k through 12. While at Greenhill, Mark has filled key administrative, leadership and strategic roles. He sits on the administrative team and provides direction and vision, including the examination and coordination of school‐wide curriculum. He also oversees department chairs and the director of educational technology. Mark’s role requires that he work closely with the head of school and division heads, which gives him the opportunity to influence both the daily operations of the school and the school’s long‐term objectives. He understands both the systems and the spirit that help a school thrive. Mark was selected to lead the Upper School Vision Committee at Greenhill, which evaluated how well the school was meeting its mission statement and preparing the “ideal graduate.” He also led the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest reaccreditation process for the school, an intense, year‐long endeavor reviewing the entire range of curriculum, programs and processes. Throughout his years at Greenhill, Mark has encountered numerous St. John’s graduates, and he has seen firsthand the quality of education these students received. Our alumni have impressed him. “At Greenhill we use the phrase that our graduates ‘get it’,” says Mark. “And St. John's students have the same wholesomeness and are well‐rounded. They, too, ‘get it’.” Beyond the attributes he has seen in our graduates, Mark is also drawn to St. John’s by the core tenets of an Episcopal education, and in particular to the Christian community it fosters and its emphasis on spiritual development and growth. Mark’s educational philosophy states that ultimately, meaningful education is not determined by data, benchmarks, college placement or exit exams, but instead is about less‐quantifiable ideals: • The connections in a caring community • The courage to take risks in search of understanding • The awareness of one’s talents and growing to fulfill them Page 1 St. John’s Episcopal School
Bio – Mark Crotty
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The development of a supple mind, a healthy body and a kind heart The realization of a purpose beyond oneself Mark’s vision fuels his optimism regarding education, and its principles guide his work. As curriculum director, he emphasizes the long process of education; as a colleague, he aims to give others a voice and ownership; as a community member, he reacts to particular situations, trying to balance the needs of individuals with the shared conscience; as a school leader, he strives to embody the school’s values, living in a way that will inspire and challenge others. Mark reflects, “I'm a careful listener and a measured speaker. I recognize that too often when all is said and done more is said than done!” Mark’s own education includes a B.A. in English from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania and a Masters in Liberal Arts from SMU. In addition, he has completed several leadership programs with the National Association of Independent Schools and has written extensively about education and writing. Mark and his wife Sallie have a fourth‐grade son and a seventh‐grade daughter. Page 2