Where Are They Now? Gussie Johns Bannard and David Bannard

 

 

 

Gussie: The 2018 school year began much as the last few years have begun, with David, having met all his classes [at Collegiate School in Richmond, VA], announcing over dinner that he might just teach a "couple more years." With a recent award from Collegiate in his pocket for further exploration of innovative teaching methods, he could be starting his second decade in the profession instead of his sixth. Yes, some of us have given up on a post-retirement adventure. Our adventure is right here in Richmond, VA, and I couldn’t be happier or more proud. David continues to research and create more problem-based curricula, combining his creations with Exeter materials and who knows what else to prepare students for those STEM careers so touted these days, or for the rest of life's demands. And when he is not teaching, David is learning and sharing all he can about the world of recovery, following our son Thomas's leadership in the field, or hitting the golf ball with William or being the champion Gramps to Preston and Mary Frances's trio of girls on the Circle. 

 

For both of us, life is rich! The ten years since I retired from St. Catherine's [as head of school] have given me a chance to get to know the people of the East End of Richmond, a community long disenfranchised by those of us who enjoy white privilege. Ten years after John Finlay ['88] founded his tuition-free school [Epiphany School], a school of the same ilk was founded here, a tuition-free Episcopal school set in the middle of Richmond's projects. What began with twenty-four students is now 108, and is growing to 216, adding a lower school to its original middle school program. Six blocks from there, an old Episcopal parish has come to life again through a young priest whom I got to know through Thomas. St. Peter's has been a spiritual home to me, especially as it has teamed up with my lifelong parish to become a center for training and employment for this underserved, unemployed part of town. Working on this program and worshipping in this multi-cultural community bring together all I learned from Groton and all I treasure for our granddaughters as they grow up in the shadow of the Chapel.