Indian Creek Faculty and Staff Celebrate Connection, Dedication, and Excellence
Before departing for the summer, the entire Indian Creek School faculty and staff came together to mark the end of a successful academic year and celebrate the dedication, teamwork, and relentless pursuit of excellence of all Creek employees this year.
The annual year-end gathering kicked off with a celebratory luncheon, followed by a reception where the faculty and staff had the opportunity to reflect on their many accomplishments of the 2024–25 school year, honor colleagues who have reached significant career milestones, share thanks with members of the faculty and staff who are moving on from ICS this year, and honor teachers who exemplify the School’s core values.
The celebration kicked off with a thank you to several colleagues who are departing from Indian Creek at the end of the school year. The faculty honored After School Receptionist Debbie Sechrest, Teaching Fellow Stu Williams, Dean of Community & Well-Being Isaiah Noreiga, Upper School Administrative Assistant Laurie Roberge, and Director of Upper School Admission Whit Willocks with some moving tributes and gifts.
The faculty then gave a standing ovation to Performing Arts Teacher Anita O’Connor in celebration of her retirement after 17 years at ICS. In honor of Anita, Head of School Booth Kyle shared:
Over her tenure, Anita has played a key role in growing the music program at ICS. Her dedication has inspired hundreds of students, providing important time in the spotlight that will serve them for years to come - and for many, showing them that “Yes, you can do this!” Anita’s tenure at the Creek can be described as a beautiful opus. Each day was unique, and we are lucky to have had her with us to create this beautiful song.
Next, the staff recognized the dedication and service of several employees whose contributions have helped shape the school’s mission and vision. Notable awards included a celebration of Director of Performing Arts Jill Woodward’s 30th Creek Anniversary. To mark this occasion, Jill shared some words from her honorary plaque that will be hung on the Wall of Fame outside the Vos Family Academic Resource Center:
I am grateful to [spend my career at] a school where every individual is seen, celebrated, and cared for – a place where the Arts have been embraced not just as a program, but as a vital part of who we are…I’ve been blessed to witness the incredible power of music and theater to build confidence, foster empathy, and bring people together. My deepest hope is that, through each performance, ICS students have found love and joy – both in themselves and in one another.
Following this, the faculty and staff got to their feet to give Early Childhood teacher Mindy Probst a standing ovation in honor of her 40 years of dedication to Indian Creek. Assistant Head of School Jen Malachowski shared the collective feeling of the Creek Community about the impact that Ms. Probst has had on generations of Creek students:
Mindy is the kind of teacher every parent hopes their child will encounter—nurturing, wise, and endlessly patient. She is a trusted colleague, a quiet leader, and an unfailing supporter of our school’s mission. We define Kindness at Indian Creek as showing up and standing up for one another, and Mindy embodies this value every day. Indian Creek is not just where she works—it’s her community, and she treats us as her extended family. Mindy, your career at ICS has been a gift to all of us. Thank you for four decades of wisdom, warmth, and unwavering love for this school. Thank you for showing us what it means to teach with heart. And thank you for being a cornerstone of the Indian Creek story.
Congratulations to these Creek faculty and staff members who were recognized with longevity awards!
- 5 Years of Service: John Bonhom, Jeanne Kinsella, Jenny Leasure
- 10 Years of Service (“Clyde Award”): Donna Crouch, Heather DeBuse, Doug McNally, Josh Sprague
- 20 Years of Service (Legacy brick on Founders’ Patio): Tiffany McCormick
- 25 Years of Service: Rachel Barr, Chris Crouch, Amy Coleman
- 30 Years of Service (Plaque on Wall of Fame): Jill Woodward
- 40 Years of Service: Mindy Probst
To conclude the ceremony, the Professional Life Committee at Indian Creek School introduced three new awards created to honor individuals who exemplify the school’s core values of kindness, well-being, and excellence in education. Chief of Staff Rachel Barr presented these awards, sharing:
This award is not just about job performance or metrics – it’s about heart. It honors faculty members whose kindness is felt in the small, everyday moments. These individuals are deeply committed to the well-being of our students, our colleagues, and our school community as a whole.
This award is not just about job performance or metrics – it’s about heart. It honors faculty members whose kindness is felt in the small, everyday moments. These individuals are deeply committed to the well-being of our students, our colleagues, and our school community as a whole.
Congratulations to the faculty who were recognized for their outstanding embodiment of the school’s mission and spirit for the 2024-25 school year, Third Grade teacher Debbie Fowler, Upper School Humanities teacher Garth Robinson, and Middle School World Languages teacher Alexandra Vranas Carita (VC).
Following this celebration, the Indian Creek School faculty and staff departed for a well-earned summer break. We look forward to seeing this incredible group of educators back on campus in August.
Indian Creek School
Indian Creek school is a co-educational, college preparatory independent school, located in Crownsville, Maryland. Students in Pre-K3 through grade 12 receive a vibrant educational experience based on excellent academics steeped in strong student-teacher connections.
