Founder's Day 2026

This year, on Sanford's 96th birthday, the award went to 16 of your fellow alumni: the faculty and staff who came back to Sanford to teach, coach, and serve the next generation of Warriors.

This group of faculty and staff represents more than 40 years of Sanford history, from the Class of 1982 to the Class of 2022 and includes four Sanford “lifers”. They sat on the same chilly concrete for Founder's Day, played on the same fields, and walked across the same stage in white to receive their diplomas. Now they're the teachers, coaches, and mentors our current students will remember.

"These men and women are dedicating their careers to ensuring our current Sanford students leave these sunny hills with the best foundation we can provide," said Head of School Jaime Morgan '02.

Three honorees shared what brought them back.

JT Pembroke '09, a kindergarten teacher who started at Sanford in Junior Kindergarten: "I came back to Sanford because I wanted to try to be for someone else what so many people here had been for me: a role model, a coach, a teacher. Someone who believes in you before you completely believe in yourself."

Amanda Jumps '05, who began her career as a nurse before becoming a teacher: "Make good choices. And be kind to one another. Because you never know where those choices will lead you. I am incredibly grateful that mine led me back here."

Amy Clark '02, PE and health teacher and coach, shared her story in verse: "You can graduate, move on, and go your own way, / Then come back years later and feel like you never went away."

Congratulations to our alumni faculty and staff:

Jen Nightengale '82, Middle School Technology Coordinator and Coach

Amy Clark '02, PE and Health Teacher and Field Hockey Coach

Lizzy Lancellotti '02, Middle School Math Instructor and Varsity Tennis Coach

Ann Marie Galasso '03, Lower School Learning Specialist

Amanda Jumps '05, Middle School Academic Support Coordinator

Claire Parisi '05, Assistant to the Head of Lower School

Leigh Jones '06, Lower School Fourth Grade Instructor

Kevin McDermott '07, Director of Technology

JT Pembroke '09, Kindergarten Teacher and Coach

Khallid Hart '12, Kindergarten Teacher and Head Boys Basketball Coach

Lucy Benson '13, Director of Marketing and Communications

Gavin Gibson '15, Upper School Instructor and Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach

Riley Whipple '19, Technology Associate

Annie Christopher '20, Marketing and Communications Specialist and Cross Country and Girls' Lacrosse Coach

Tyler Needham '22, Buildings and Grounds