Fond Farewells 2025
Paul Chung
Mr. Chung has been teaching our Middle School students for the last 15 years. Don’t let his tough-guy facade fool you; Mr. Chung has a soft spot for working with Middle Schoolers. Whether he’s introducing new mathematics concepts, practicing mindfulness, hiking in Zion, creating math-informed works of original art, or patrolling the halls during break and lunch, Mr. Chung enjoys spending time with students and finding ways to connect with them. He models derech eretz (respect for all), in all of his interactions, and he has high expectations of students, both as learners and as human beings.
Thank you, Mr. Chung, for always asking questions and pushing us to be the best Magpies we can be. As you prepare to take on the challenge of teaching high school students, we hope you will remember your time at McGillis fondly.
Jessie Coyle
Jessie Coyle joined McGillis three years ago as the Lower School Director. A big kid at heart, Mr. Jessie can often be seen (or heard) in the Lower School hallways saying “Hello, happy children” or “How can I help you?” His energy and enthusiasm for working with Lower School students is contagious. He loves popping into classrooms to see what students are learning and doing, and we’ll often see him taking pictures with his iPad, so he can share all the wonderful things that are happening in the Lower School. Mr. Jessie cares deeply about derech eretz (respect for all). He wants to make sure every student is seen, supported, and accepted for who they are.
Jessie has spearheaded important and inspiring work with Lower School faculty and our Administrative team. He consistently advocated for the implementation of student safety protocols, wrote our Child Safety & Wellness Handbook, and established a Teacher Leader program. He believes strongly in the strength of our program and, by launching MAP testing with his fellow program directors, championed a data-driven demonstration of our high-performing curriculum.
We are better for having had Jessie in our midst, and we have every confidence that Groves Academy (St. Louis Park, MN) will greatly benefit from his passion for educational settings that support neurodiverse learners. We will miss his infectious laughter and the joy he brings to our kehilah. Thank you, Mr. Jessie, and good luck at Groves!
Victoria Hamrick
Ms. Victoria joined 5th Grade TLC in January of this year, and it’s been a whirlwind five months! In addition to teaching, writing, Wilson, and covering recess duties, Victoria embraced the outdoor adventures and all the different experiences McGillis offers to 5th graders. She demonstrated limud l’shma (learning for the sake of learning) by snowshoeing in the Wasatch mountains, camping in Moab, going ice skating for WOW, and co-developing a new CSI class.
We appreciate Victoria’s willingness to hit the ground running and dive into so many new experiences. We wish her all the best as she heads off to teach at Foxboro Elementary in Davis County next year. Thank you, Ms. Victoria!
Mary Lessing
Over the past year, Ms. Mary has supported our students, teachers, staff, and families with a friendly smile and can-do attitude from behind the desk in the main office. She’s bandaged skinned knees, helped sick or anxious students get what they need, welcomed families and visitors, and organized activities for the Park City students waiting for the bus. Mary demonstrates gemilut hasadim (doing good and kind deeds) every day and is always willing to jump in and help wherever needed.
With both of her children, Sam and Charlie, moving on to different schools next year, Mary is taking this opportunity to have more flexibility and be on a similar schedule as them. We are hoping she might come back as a substitute teacher one day. Thank you, Mary, for a fantastic year!
Emmy Lowe
Emmy Lowe first became part of our McGillis kehilah as a 3rd Grade teacher from 2006 to 2009. After some time away, we were thrilled to welcome her back in 2017, and for the last eight years, Ms. Emmy has been one of our beloved 1st Grade teachers. She has taught countless students how to read, how to use double facts to add and subtract, how to tie their shoes, and how to manage their big emotions. Ms. Emmy’s classroom is filled with joy, laughter, learning, and gemilut hasadim (doing good and kind deeds). She inspires her students and all of us to be kind and accepting of others.
Ms. Emmy, thank you for sharing your gifts with us. We will miss you and wish you the best on your next adventure!
Lo Segal
Coach Lo joined McGillis this past year as a part-time PE Teacher. She enjoyed working with our 4th and 5th Grade classes and also taught one section of 6th Grade. This was her first teaching experience, and from her first day on the job, she demonstrated limud l’shma (learning for the sake of learning). Teaching PE is not always easy, and we were impressed with how quickly she formed connections with students and learned to manage the MAC learning environment.
Coach Lo shared her passion for physical fitness and developing healthy habits, and we are excited for her to continue building her own private consulting practice related to nutrition and fitness. Best of luck, Coach Lo, thank you for a great year!
Darren Smith
Coach Smith revived our PE program after COVID, and for the last four years, he’s taught our 4th-8th graders a variety of activities and team sports. He is passionate about teaching PE, and you can often find him after school coaching, refereeing, or cheering students on from the sidelines. He enjoys being involved with students outside of the MAC, whether that’s out at recess, planting trees for TreeKun Olam, or joining a Kehilah Crew during Field Day.
Coach Smith actually came out of retirement to teach PE at McGillis. He was excited to be part of our community, and he has worked hard to rebuild our PE program and strengthen our kehilah. Thank you, Coach Smith, for all you have given to McGillis. We will miss you and wish you all the best on your second retirement!
Sallie Warmath
If McGillis has a face and name that brings feelings and memories of welcome, support, care, and a big dose of Southern hospitality, it is Sallie Warmath. Sallie has been a warm presence at McGillis for 20 years, influencing the growth of the School as a teacher, administrator, and for the past 15 years as Director of Admissions. She leaves behind an indelible mark on our community and our history.
Sallie has been in and around independent schools her entire life. Her parents were co-founders of Greensboro Day School in North Carolina, where Sallie spent her formative education years. She is a former teacher to many current McGillis parents while a teacher at Rowland Hall. Her husband Ray became just the third teacher hired in the history of McGillis, and Sallie has been affiliated with us ever since. She taught History and became our first official Middle School Director.
As the School continued to grow, Sallie was tapped to take on many new responsibilities to facilitate that growth, eventually becoming our Director of Admissions. In this role, Sallie has been the friendly face and supportive voice in helping McGillis families find their path from inquiry to enrollment, graduation to engaged alumnus, and even alumnus to McGillis parent.
Our entire kehilah shares enormous appreciation for Sallie’s impact. She has always been a teacher, and remains one at her core. She has helped students live up to our values, been a shoulder to lean on for colleagues, and a source of wisdom for parents navigating the complexities of raising children.
Retirement will not mean a complete goodbye. Sallie is eager to stay engaged with our kehilah and lend her support in the variety of ways we know she is willing and capable! Thank you, Ms. Sallie, for the beautiful legacy you have left generations of Magpies!
Zoe Wood
Zoe has been a steady presence in our kehilah for the last seven years. In addition to teaching Middle School Hebrew and Holocaust Studies, she’s a Kehilah Crew mentor and has chaperoned many Middle School OEE trips. She enjoys connecting with students, and her cooking Explorations class was always a fun space to be. Ms. Wood has also helped us think about how to celebrate the Jewish holidays throughout the year. She shares her experience of what it was like growing up in Israel with students, and she’s helped all of us deepen our understanding of Jewish culture and traditions.
Ms. Wood believes in the power of tikkun olam (repairing the world), and we know she will continue her amazing work and contributions as she moves on from McGillis. Thank you, Ms. Wood, for all you’ve given to our kehilah!