![Jon Garman '75 Steps up as Interim Upper School Principal]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1661966669/friendsbaltorg/uoeen1bnhjtwi39a6o3z/JohnGarmannews.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1661966669/friendsbaltorg/uoeen1bnhjtwi39a6o3z/JohnGarmannews.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1661966669/friendsbaltorg/uoeen1bnhjtwi39a6o3z/JohnGarmannews.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1661966669/friendsbaltorg/uoeen1bnhjtwi39a6o3z/JohnGarmannews.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1661966669/friendsbaltorg/uoeen1bnhjtwi39a6o3z/JohnGarmannews.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1661966669/friendsbaltorg/uoeen1bnhjtwi39a6o3z/JohnGarmannews.png","width":1620}])
In March of 2022, it was announced that long-time Upper School Principal Steve McManus P’18, ’21, would leave Friends School after 11 years of service. Steve had deservingly been named the next head of school at Edmund Burke School in Washington, D.C., set to start in the fall of 2022. With the announcement coming late in the 2021-22 school year, Friends leadership looked inward to find an interim replacement while the search for a permanent upper school principal began. Always ready to go above and beyond for his alma mater, Jon Garman ’75 agreed to step up and serve for the 2022-23 school year.
Jon’s connections to Friends run deep. As an alum, the parent of two alums, a former administrator and a current faculty member, he has been connected to Friends School for more than 50 years, and his love for the School and the community is far-reaching. During his tenure, Jon will have worked with six different heads of school, including Christian Donovan, and he brings a wealth of historical knowledge and context to assist the School through this transition.
Beyond his time as a student, Jon has worked at Friends for 39 years, serving in a variety of roles during that period. These include being part of the School’s administrative team from 2000 - 2007 when he was the director of athletics, a member of the history department faculty, the dean of students, a varsity coach and as the 12th grade dean until just last year. He continues to teach core 9th-grade classes and history electives in the upper school. Jon consistently receives positive student feedback and is considered one of the best and most impactful teachers in the upper school. The quality of his teaching, deep understanding of our program, and commitment to academic excellence will help him lead the upper school. The School is delighted that Jon will be stepping into this role, which, incidentally, will be his last year at Friends. He plans to retire in June 2023 to spend more time with his family and grandchildren.