EDS- Faculty

Mr Kendell Berry, Head of School
	My adult life has been dedicated to educating young people and the people who support them and includes 31 years of educational, managerial, and administrative leadership in independent education. I have led the processes of strategic planning, curriculum development, capital project management, budget-making and implementation, and fundraising. My career began at a boys’ boarding school in Virginia where, over the course of 19 years, I taught biology and ecology; coached football, soccer, and track; was dean of the school; was assistant director of development; and was the business officer. I next served a large day school as business officer. Prior to joining EDS as head of school in July 2007, I had been the headmaster of a coed, PK-12 day school for 9 years. Education: Master of Science; Biology; University of Virginia Thesis published Journal of Mammology, Volume 66, Number 4 Winner - Horton Naturalist Prize, UVA, 1980 Bachelor of Science; Biology; Lynchburg College My wife and I have three adult children, a son and two daughters. kberry@evansvilledayschool.org
Mrs Mary Jane Gibson, Head of Middle & Upper School
	Dr. Mary Jane Gibson joined our administration as Head of Middle and Upper Schools in July. Dr. Gibson has a B.S. in Psychology from USI, a M.S. in Counseling from Western Kentucky, and an Ed. D. in Child and Youth Studies from Nova Southeastern University. “I have had the opportunity to work with children in many capacities: as a mental health tech for teens in both in- and out-patient settings, as a coordinator of services for special needs children, as a crisis counselor covering 14 schools, a high school building counselor, coach, and most recently, as an assistant administrator for a charter school. The environments I have worked in range from rural to inner-city, from public to public charter, from established schools to a start up school. My time developing software to assist schools and students with college counseling and preparation gave me a taste of the business world as well. I feel like these opportunities have provided me with a unique insight to work with and understand the needs of children and families. My 23 years of working with youth helped form my foundation and philosphy of education. I have been privileged to work with strong leaders that believed in me and helped me to grow as an educator, a counselor, and an advocate for children. I believe that my role at Evansville Day School will be to assist in strengthening a culture where students are safe to grow, ask questions, evalute, and discover themselves. I believe that every child is unique in their learning style as well as their needs, that student input is essential, and that in order to be successful in reaching their goals, students must share ownership in their learning environments. In my first few months at Evansville Day School, I have met a team of compassionate, dedicated teachers and staff members that are excited about teaching and who have made a commitment to lifelong learning. I am thrilled to be here. mjgibson@evansvilledayschool.org
Mr Tom Dragon, Athletic Director
	PE Department Chair & Teacher, US Boys' Soccer Coach I love teaching at Evansville Day School because the students have a genuine willingness to learn and improve. Athletic Director Physical Education Department Head Primary & Middle School Physical Education teacher. Middle & Upper school soccer coach. tdragon@evansvilledayschool.org
Mrs Linda Vandiver, Director of Finance
	I am the Director of Finance of Evansville Day School and have worked here since 1988. My youngest daughter, Jenny, graduated from here in 1998 and continued on to Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky. Evansville Day School offers many opportunities for your children and helps teach them lifelong skills. lvandiver@evansvilledayschool.org
Mrs Paige McFarling, Director of Development & Advancement
	"Being able to champion children and education is a dream come true, and I can think of no better school to crow about than Evansville Day School." As Director of Advancement, it’s my job to insure that families, communities, and students are well informed about Evansville Day School and what it means to be a part of this special community. It’s also my job to raise the funds that our school needs to provide outstanding programs and support the amazing faculty we have here. pmcfarling@evansvilledayschool.org
Mr Neil Saunders, College Counselor & History
	One must search far and wide to find complimentary comments on education. It appears that many persons who have achieved fame and success have little positive to say about their formal education. As has been said by some, the clever largely educate themselves. English historian Edward Gibbon (1737-1794) put it this way: "The power of instruction is seldom of much efficacy.” But those who take the route of self-education should heed the warning of the old maxim: "He who would educate himself must be a born educator." Benjamin Franklin, who largely educated himself, cautions: "He that teaches himself hath a fool for his master." For those of us who are not geniuses, formal education may be a useful thing–if approached in the right spirit, with an eager and open mind and a rationally skeptical attitude. We provide such an opportunity at EDS. Our college preparatory program is time tested and has proven to be successful. Our students enter college prepared and motivated to excel, not just survive. University of Evansville, BA Education nsaunders@evansvilledayschool.org
Mrs Beth Baker, Admisson Director
	I am so impressed with the core values taught and modeled at EDS. The faculty is awesome and their respect for each other is very evident. I love to show the school to prospective families and point out the lack of locks on lockers and the gym bags on the floor in front of the lockers. There is a sense of safety and trust at EDS that is sorely lacking in other schools. This environment allows our students to thrive. BA – Education – Augustana College bbaker@evansvilledayschool.org
Mrs Robin Renschler, Head of Lower School
	Children have a natural curiosity for exploring the opportunities of computer literacy. My role, as a computer educator, is to provide meaningful computer applications skills while enhancing their classroom experiences. This cross curricular integration of technology promotes a deeper understanding of subject matter as well as nurturing a creative expression of knowledge. After working 20+ years in early childhood and administration on the east coast, it is a pleasure to return to Southern Indiana and join the EDS community! Primary School Technology Grade 8 Computer Applications M.A. Education Leadership, Columbia University Concentration in Private School Leadership Studies in Urban Education Jersey City State University B.S. Elementary Education, Indiana State University of Evansville Middle School Endorsement Course work completed for master's degree in Education Leadership from Columbia University rrenschler@evansvilledayschool.org