Where Are They Now? Janet Hartwell, Assistant Head and English Faculty, July 1996–June 2003

What keeps you busy now?

What keeps me busy right now is being head of a Pre-K–12 grade school, Greens Farms Academy (GFA), of 715 students in Westport, Connecticut, and everything that comes with running a school. I love having a lower school along with older students, and as we used to say about the Second Form at Groton, having the younger kids around helps the older kids become more civilized! We have a strong academic program along with arts and athletics, and are working on all issues of equity and inclusion.

Each year, one department has outside educators and experts review the curriculum and teaching, all with an eye to being the best we can be. Last spring our math department was being reviewed, and we had the honor and good fortune of having Jon Choate from Groton as one of our reviewers. It was great to see Choatie and have his expert insights.

I am retiring in June after many, many years (I have lost count, but over thirty-five), and as Bill Polk advised me with his wise counsel, will do nothing for the first six months!

Does one aspect of working at Groton stand out to you now?

One aspect of Groton that stands out is the enormous care—intellectual, moral, and social—that every faculty member devoted to the students. We knew our students and knew them well. I believe that the students felt well cared for, and indeed they were. My daughter, Chloe ’90, attended Groton and is now living and working for GE in Dubai. Chloe and her husband Jaafar, who also works for GE, have a son, Adam, who is sixteen months old and adorable! Our son Elliot attended St. Mark’s (game days were always tough—support the child!) and just earned his MBA.

Are there any funny stories or memories you’d like to share?

One incident I remember was when a student (Alex MeVay ’97, I think) rappelled up the Chapel and put a "For Sale" sign on the front. A great prank, but oh so dangerous! I also remember the many Surprise Holidays, and how the students would play Surprise Holiday "roulette." One year, it was around the time when a Surprise Holiday was due, and some enterprising students called Bucky Bus and found out which day buses had been ordered. That took the surprise out of the holiday, much to the chagrin of the deans! Bucky knew to keep this information confidential in the future.

What did you learn from your years at Groton?

I learned so much from my time at Groton, that schools are really all about people. I learned that teaching is the currency of good schools, and good teaching is the most important thing you can do in a school, and everything else is just support for the centrality of the classroom. I had great school people from whom to learn, and I so enjoyed the faculty. I remember stimulating conversations, holiday gatherings, chapel talks, and much more. Groton still holds a very special place in my heart for all that it is.

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