Honoring Dedication: Celebrating Faculty and Staff Service and Milestones
Yolanda Keener (41 years), Ning Jiang (20 years), and Donna Maclean (19 years) retire after decades of extraordinary service to Holton-Arms. Beloved for their wisdom, warmth, and unwavering dedication to students, each leaves a lasting legacy in the classroom and beyond.
During the end-of-year Faculty and Staff Appreciation Brunch, hosted by the Parents Association, Holton-Arms recognized retiring faculty and faculty and staff marking milestone years of service to the community.
HONORING OUR RETIREES
Linda Baily retires after 45 years at Holton-Arms, most recently as Lower School Design Technology Teacher
Liz Dover, Head of Lower School, said: “Ms. Baily has shown our girls that "building things isn’t just for boys," and, in fact, “I can do it better!” Her legacy lives on in every Holton innovator, every creator, and every young woman who dares to ask “why?” and then sets out to find the answer, truly living out our motto, I will find a way or make one.”
Yolanda Keener retires after 41 years at Holton-Arms, most recently as Grade 12 Dean and Upper School Psychology Teacher
Chris Lynch, Head of Upper School, shared the words of colleagues, “Yolanda embodies grace and wisdom, a role model who leads by example, offering a warm hug, a word of prayer, a gentle listening ear, and a big belly laugh, just when you need it.”
Ning Jiang retires after 20 years at Holton-Arms, most recently as Upper School Chinese Teacher
Described by colleagues as “insightful, funny, and intelligent, with a dedicated focus on her students. She is an extraordinary teacher who genuinely cares for her students, academic standards, and her subject.”
Donna Maclean retires 19 years of service as the Upper School Photography Teacher
Felicia Swoope, Director of Fine and Performing Arts, paid tribute to Donna’s commitment to ensuring that Holton students understand traditional photography while keeping abreast of new technology, as well as “encouraging them to use their lens to look beyond what they see with the naked eye.”
RECOGNITION FOR ENDURING SERVICE
Several faculty and staff were recognized for milestones of 5, 10, and 15 years of service. Special presentations were made for those celebrating major milestone years: Josie Shiroma (20 years), Nina Gilman (25), and Melinda Salata (25).
