Dr. Dana Markham Takes Helm as Fifth President of Pine Crest School

Pine Crest School announced on Tuesday, the appointment of Dr. Dana Markham as the fifth president in the school’s history. She steps into the position after several months in the role of Acting President and more than 23 years with Pine Crest School.

“I’m honored to be selected as the next President of Pine Crest School,” said Dr. Markham. “I’m enthusiastic to be leading the dynamic growth and stewardship of this elite institution, and continuing Pine Crest’s proud heritage of excellence in preparing students for the next steps in their lives.”

Since becoming Acting President, she has quickly garnered support from students, parents, faculty and the board of trustees with her clear vision that places dynamic learning at the core of the Pine Crest experience. “Tackling the challenges of their future will require our students to adapt and ‘think on their feet,’”

Dr. Markham wrote last month in a letter to the school community -
"Facts, whether they are scientific or historical, will always be readily accessible on their laptops and Smartphones. However, it will be making connections between these facts that will empower them to navigate a constantly changing world. In schools where thinking is paramount, studying the core content is not an end in itself, but instead offers lenses through which students look at and interpret the world…This is the vision through which I am now asking our faculty to measure the effectiveness of their teaching.“

Dr. Markham has been the parent of four Pine Crest graduates. She officially joined the Pine Crest family in 1989 as a kindergarten teacher, and has since gone on to teach and coach at various other grade levels. She moved into administration as Assistant Head of Lower School in 2000 and then Assistant Head of Middle School in 2004. She was then appointed Head of Middle School in 2010 and Vice President of Academics in 2011. As the President of Pine Crest School,

Dr. Markham will be responsible for advancing the academic life of more than 2,645 students and 700 employees across the school’s Ft. Lauderdale and Boca Raton campuses. Recognized nationally for its challenging academic experience that is complemented by excellence in the arts and athletics, Pine Crest faculty instill a love of learning, character, independence and leadership in their students and provide a nurturing learning community that prepares each child to meet the global challenges of the future.

“As we carry forward our mission to educate the whole child, we continue to foster an educational environment that will honor our past, inform our present, and direct our future,” said Markham. “I look forward to seeing what the next chapter in Pine Crest’s history will bring.”