StM News

At the close of the school year, St. Martin’s faculty and staff gathered in the Dan and Frances White Chapel to celebrate a year of growth and to recognize the remarkable dedication of their colleagues. This annual ceremony honors the individuals whose passion and service help shape the heart of our school.

Honoring Excellence in Education

The J. Gordon and Lou Ann Reische Outstanding Teaching Award
Established in 1988 to honor faculty who exemplify outstanding teaching, the Reische Award celebrates an educator whose empathy, expertise, and dedication leave a lasting impression on our students and community. This year’s recipients are Allison Fresneda and Matthew Munhall.

Allison Fresneda has been a devoted member of the St. Martin’s community for many years, serving as a parent, a grandparent, and a teacher for the past 16 years. She has played an instrumental role in shaping the George Cottage and the two-year-old program, contributing her artistic talent and dedication to designing the atelier and painting the bike track. As a Reggio Emilia-inspired educator, she respects children as capable, independent learners and designs inquiry-based experiences that foster confidence, collaboration, and curiosity. Her deep understanding of child development ensures that students feel valued and loved, and her unwavering commitment to the values of Faith, Scholarship, and Service makes her exceptionally deserving of this recognition.

Matt Munhall has made a meaningful and lasting impact on the Upper School over his seven years at St. Martin’s, serving as an English teacher, English Department Chair, and National Honor Society moderator. As an educator, he demonstrates strong subject-matter knowledge and utilizes student-centered, diverse approaches to make his coursework accessible while encouraging critical thinking and confidence in writing. He excels at fostering a classroom culture grounded in respect, fairness, and enthusiasm, helping students take ownership of their work through patient and consistent support. Beyond the classroom, he actively supports student activities, collaborates with colleagues, advances strong instructional practices within his department, and guides NHS members in developing leadership and service. Consistently demonstrating the school's ideals of Faith, Scholarship, and Service, he models the highest standards of professionalism and dedication, making him highly deserving of his nomination for the Reische Award.

The Barbara Ryan Leadership Award
Created to honor longtime staff member and former Interim Head of School Barbara Ryan, this award is presented annually to a staff member who demonstrates exceptional behind-the-scenes leadership and compassion and is a positive influence across the campus.

This year’s honoree is Enrollment Administrator Gloria Hill, whose meaningful contributions to St. Martin’s stem from her resilience, adaptability, and dedication. Last year, she transitioned into an administrative role supporting the admissions office and the broader school community by overseeing the FACTS system, where she manages and improves data integrity to ensure a seamless experience for families from entry through graduation. In addition to these technical and operational contributions, she serves as a welcoming presence at the front of the school, acting as the first point of contact to ensure that visitors, substitutes, and prospective families feel acknowledged and supported. Modeling dedication and care, she is highly deserving of her recognition as this year's Barbara Ryan Leadership Award recipient.

The Godiwala Fellowship
Each year, the Godiwala Fellowship offers a faculty member the opportunity to pursue summer professional development. Past recipients have traveled across the globe to further their expertise—from Egypt to Stanford.

This year’s fellowship was awarded to Emily Ryan. Emily serves on the Upper School faculty as a French teacher and has recently taken on two important leadership roles as Global Citizenship Coordinator and 10th grade Lead Advisor. Through her leadership of the Global Citizenship Diploma program, Emily has helped students from across the Upper School explore issues such as sustainability, civic engagement, and global responsibility through guest speakers, documentary screenings, and student-led projects. Her work has also increased student interest in and awareness of global travel opportunities, helping students see travel not simply as tourism, but as a way to deepen cultural understanding, civic responsibility, and engagement with the wider world. 

Emily will use the funding provided by the Godiwala Fellowship to attend From Global Priorities to School Projects: Focus on Sustainability and Citizenship Education in Prague this July. This professional learning program will allow her to study global citizenship education through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and return with practical strategies for developing project-based learning experiences that strengthen the diploma program, support interdisciplinary connections, and help students see themselves as informed, responsible global citizens.

Years of Service Awards

St. Martin's also recognized team members celebrating milestone years of service. Their commitment reflects the strength, spirit, and continuity that define our community.

5 Years 

Kevin Dizer, Shelley Foster, Risa Indest, Brooke Landry, Velinda Mascorro, Jewel Reuter, Maureen Smith, West Stout, and Nicky Wood

10 Years 

Mary Kay Beck, Pat LaForge, and Tiffany Laird

15 Years

Barbara Weaver

20 Years

Mary Bond, Cynthia Hill, Jane Lynn, and Eileen Smilari

Retirement Recognition
With deep gratitude, we celebrate the career of Susan Pendleton, who is retiring after more than 20 years of dedicated service to St. Martin's as a fourth grade teacher. 

This year-end celebration was more than a moment of applause—it was a reflection of the deep relationships and shared mission that make St. Martin’s Episcopal School such a special place to learn and grow. We are grateful to each honoree for the ways our incredibly talented and dedicated faculty and staff help shape our students every day.