A heartwarming testament to the commitment and dedication of King School faculty and staff, the inaugural Platinum Circle Dinner honored current and former employees who have given 20 or more years of service to the school.

“Even when you leave, King stays part of your life,” said Karen Wagner, reflecting on the event.

The 26 Platinum Circle members in attendance gathered on Tuesday, May 2, in the Addie and Tom Jones Middle School Atrium, where they shared hugs, laughs, and fond memories.

“I felt such pride in being a part of such a special community,” said former teacher Cathy Mishkin. “There was a palpable joy in the room.”

In her address to the audience, Head of School Carol Maoz acknowledged the faculty and staff's crucial role in shaping the King School community. Maoz emphasized that the faculty is the heart of the community, while staff members are the unsung heroes who keep everything running smoothly. 

Maoz’s remarks inspired many guests to share their experiences. 

Marnie Sadlowsky, who currently serves as Associate Head of School for Strategic Programming and Head of Upper School, credited Bill Pusack with being her first mentor when she began her career as a middle school teacher at King. 

“Thank you to everyone for [building] the future [of King],” she said.

Several Platinum Circle members who are also King parents or parents of King alumni shared gratitude for the indelible mark those in the room had made on their children’s lives and for preparing them beyond their expectations for a successful future

Nancy Bloom, former staff member, trustee, and alumni parent of three King graduates, shared that she had “marvelous memories of the fun we had in addition to the hard work.”

Former Head of School Sue Cesare ‘48 recalled hiring many of the people in the room during her tenure. Hailed by many of those present as the “Queen Mother,” Cesare was integral in the successful merger of King and Low-Heywood Thomas, paving the way for the school as it is today. 

Special thanks to the Development Office for organizing this wonderful event and Mishkin, Wagner, and Cesare ’48, who volunteer weekly to organize the school's archives and helped invite many of our former faculty and staff honorees back to campus for the event.