Truth Confirmed on the Form Dean Switch

The form deans play a crucial role in the students’ experiences here at Episcopal.

“A form dean has the ability to pull the students together as a class,” explained Dr. Delvin Dinkins, head of the Upper School at Episcopal.

The form deans are a key component in the success of the students, socially, academically, and emotionally.

They help the students to broker meaningful relationships with their peers and teachers. The dean, in a way, serves as the caretaker of the entire class.

After Holly Johnston, the form dean to the current Junior class, announced she would soon be leaving, and a rigorous process began to find a replacement. First, the job position of a form dean was advertised. The applications were reviewed and the candidates best fit for the job were singled out.

“We were looking for people who had a track record for excellence in the area we were looking to hire in.” Dinkins explained. Once the prime applicants were selected, they went through a lengthy interview process. There were interviews not only by the current form deans, but also by the recruitment coordinator Ms. Tracie Lee, Mr. Douglas Parsons, the dean of faculty, the department chairs, and a small group of parents, as well as a small group of students. Lastly, each candidate interviewed with Dr. Hall, Dr. Locke, and Dr. Dinkins.

According to Michael Letts, a form dean at Episcopal, “The dean candidates go through almost one full day of interviews.” When deciding the new form dean the current form deans are all heavily involved in that whole process. As mentioned, they take part in interviewing candidates, as well as discussing and reflecting on each candidate. According to Letts, “We submit a formal reflection of sorts on what we think of each candidate.” Dr. Dinkins makes the final decision, however, with input from each group. In the end, Mrs. Aldridge, a history teacher at Episcopal, was chosen for the position.

As many people are aware of, Mr. Letts, the current freshman form dean, will take on the position of the class of 2021’s form dean at the start of the next school year. Mrs. Aldridge will take over the class of 2020, and Mr. Willis, the current form dean of the senior class, will become the new senior’s form dean for their last year at EA. The decision for Mr. Letts to step down to the grade below and to be replaced by Mrs. Aldridge came as a shock to many students.

“It’s tough,” Mr. Letts admitted. “Part of the reason I love this job is because you get to build strong relationships with your students. First, and most importantly though, ninth grade is a tough year for a form dean.” Even for someone like Mrs. Aldridge, who has served as faculty at EA for 15 years, there is an enormous number of policies, procedures and amount of handbook information and curricular sequencing that is incredibly important for the incoming ninth grade students and parents to know.

“The parents have a lot of questions, as everyone’s new to the Upper School, but there’s also around thirty-five to forty new families,” Letts stated. “It can be tough, especially for someone who is new to the job. I think it’s a bit of an easier switch to start with tenth grade.”

Rumors have been spread all around campus that the major reason for the dean switch comes from a conflict of interest. Mr. Letts has a daughter in the same grade as which he is the form dean for. Our team of investigative journalist drug deep to prove this rumor true.

“Let’s just be perfectly honest,” Letts began, “while I think it would be fine, and there wouldn’t be any problems, it’s not ideal to have your child in the class.It does potentially pose conflicts of interest,” Letts stated.

Mrs. Aldridge is very excited to take her new position of form dean this upcoming school year.

“Relationships with students have always been the most wonderful part of my job. I love history, but I love students much more,” Aldridge explained. Her decision to pursue a career in teaching was inspired from her father. “My father, a teacher for over 40 years, once told me that he had never worked a day in his life. I wanted that same purposeful and authentic life,” she said.

She has spent the last fifteen years devoting her life to teaching, and values the relationships she has formed and built. The position of a form dean has now peaked her interest, as this allows many possibilities for strong relationships. Although she has internally been incredibly interested in this position for a while, she began her process of application in November, after Mrs. Johnston had announced her leave.

“I started with a cover letter to Mrs. Lee (who is in charge of hiring) to explain my interest in the position as well as a resume of my professional and educational experience. Over the course of one day in late November (the day before my birthday!), I interviewed with different constituencies at EA,” she explained in an email. As mentioned, she interviewed with a parent group, a student group, the current form deans, Mr. Parsons and Dr. Hall and then Dr. Locke and Dr. Dinkins. By mid-December she was offered the position from Dr. Dinkins, and she gladly accepted it on the spot. Although she will be sad to part with her group of advisees, and leave the history office, she is excited to be an important part of the upcoming sophomores class.

“I relish the opportunity to help our students navigate the responsibilities and possibilities of their lives. I am clear in my expectations, but I keenly appreciate the vicissitudes of each student’s journey, and I hope that, as Form Dean, I would empower each student to appreciate his or her own gifts.” Aldridge said.

Overall, the tone of each interview was very positive and hopeful towards the new changes. While the current freshmen are still grieving the loss of an amazing form dean, they have been given assurance that Mrs. Aldridge is fully capable of shepherding their flock.