"We prepare students to engage in the world that is and to help bring about a world that ought to be."
Karen Jernigan
Minute of Appreciation
Karen Jernigan
Academic Dean Emerita
Friends Seminary is deeply appreciative of the many contributions Karen Jernigan has made over her 28 years at Friends. Karen has served as a teacher of history, chair of the History Department, ninth grade dean, and most recently as the School's academic dean. She has also served as head of the FSTA and, in 2009, was the acting assistant principal. As academic dean, Karen committed herself to carefully studying and revising the Lower School curriculum. She also spearheaded a comprehensive database project that has changed the way things are done at Friends in terms of planning and documenting the curriculum, and grading. Through this work, she has brought immense integrity to the academic records of the School. Further, her finger prints can be found on all of the major academic programs that have been initiated during her tenure, including the Chapman Academic Center; the Arabic Language program, the iPad initiative, the digital art program, the expanded language program set to launch next fall, including the introduction of Mandarin and the list goes on. Quite simply, we are a better school because of Karen's devoted work. Her fellow administrators and teachers alike, quickly credit Karen for bringing a deeply insightful faculty perspective to the administrative team. Quakers often refer to "plain speech." Karen is our exemplar of its daily practice. Karen says what she means and means what she says. Her clarity of thought and expression and her commitment to values, both the School's and her own, have been beacons for all. I describe her as the administration's historian because she can remember details like no other. Her memory is a steel trap. And who will play that role when she leaves? I do not know, but one thing I do know is that her phone number will be on my speed dial. Karen is the person I turn to for insights and advice that I know will be unbiased and solid. Her wisdom and friendship have meant the world to me and other administrators, and it cannot be replaced. Karen has never said "no" to me, well only once, and that was when I asked her if she would reconsider retiring. Karen's leadership and wisdom have been so important to the School and the Friends community at-large. We express heartfelt gratitude for the breadth and depth of service Karen has given to Friends Seminary and are proud to honor her as Academic Dean Emerita.
Karen Jernigan
Academic Dean Emerita
Friends Seminary is deeply appreciative of the many contributions Karen Jernigan has made over her 28 years at Friends. Karen has served as a teacher of history, chair of the History Department, ninth grade dean, and most recently as the School's academic dean. She has also served as head of the FSTA and, in 2009, was the acting assistant principal. As academic dean, Karen committed herself to carefully studying and revising the Lower School curriculum. She also spearheaded a comprehensive database project that has changed the way things are done at Friends in terms of planning and documenting the curriculum, and grading. Through this work, she has brought immense integrity to the academic records of the School. Further, her finger prints can be found on all of the major academic programs that have been initiated during her tenure, including the Chapman Academic Center; the Arabic Language program, the iPad initiative, the digital art program, the expanded language program set to launch next fall, including the introduction of Mandarin and the list goes on. Quite simply, we are a better school because of Karen's devoted work. Her fellow administrators and teachers alike, quickly credit Karen for bringing a deeply insightful faculty perspective to the administrative team. Quakers often refer to "plain speech." Karen is our exemplar of its daily practice. Karen says what she means and means what she says. Her clarity of thought and expression and her commitment to values, both the School's and her own, have been beacons for all. I describe her as the administration's historian because she can remember details like no other. Her memory is a steel trap. And who will play that role when she leaves? I do not know, but one thing I do know is that her phone number will be on my speed dial. Karen is the person I turn to for insights and advice that I know will be unbiased and solid. Her wisdom and friendship have meant the world to me and other administrators, and it cannot be replaced. Karen has never said "no" to me, well only once, and that was when I asked her if she would reconsider retiring. Karen's leadership and wisdom have been so important to the School and the Friends community at-large. We express heartfelt gratitude for the breadth and depth of service Karen has given to Friends Seminary and are proud to honor her as Academic Dean Emerita.
Friends Seminary actively promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in all its programs and operations, including admissions, financial aid, hiring, and all facets of the educational experience. To form a community which strives to reflect the world’s diversity, we do not discriminate on the basis of race or color, religion, nationality, ethnicity, economic background, physical ability, sex, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation. Friends Seminary is an equal opportunity employer.
Friends Seminary — the oldest continuously operated, coeducational school in NYC — serves college-bound day students in Kindergarten-Grade 12.
