“I love boarding schools because they provide students with a front-row view of many models of successful adulthood, examples they can follow to shape their future selves,” says Mb Duckett Ireland, Assistant Head of School for Student Life.

George School is grounded in the belief that a healthy and rich residential secondary school experience is a differentiator for all students, both day and boarding. Living in community with peers, faculty, and staff helps students develop independence and social skills that effectively prepare them for college and life beyond school. This model of education requires a holistic approach to student growth and development that reaches far beyond the classroom walls.

Hired in 2023 as part of an initiative to rethink, refresh and expand this holistic approach, Mb got to work restructuring the department while maintaining a student-centered approach. First was a name change from “Deans Office” to “Office of Student Life.” Behind the name change lies the work of building a framework to oversee and facilitate the student experience to ensure balance between academic and co-curricular pursuits and encourage students to explore, take risks, make mistakes, take responsibility and rebuild with a deepened understanding of their values and capabilities. 

With a structure in place that includes a Class Dean for each grade, a Director of Residential Life and a Director of Student Activities, Mb and their team strive to ensure that each student feels known and seen. 

“George School students are truly individuals and bring their full selves to campus more than I’ve seen elsewhere,” they remark. “Here, a single voice can make a difference but collective wisdom is valued.”

While the Office is responsible for managing attendance and disciplinary issues, it is also committed to making students feel at home at George School – and giving them time to be kids. Leading silly games during assembly with faculty and student volunteers, going all out on Halloween with costumes and contests, Mb and their team seek connection and build community in creative ways.

“I love Halloween and Harvest Weekend because — aside from the fact that fall is my favorite time of year — our students get to have fun, and our on-campus children, including my own daughter, get to participate alongside them,” she says “The intergenerational connections are so cool to see.”

This fall, George School received a transformative gift that designates significant funding to student activities and leadership. With this support, the reorganized team is energized to create meaningful experiences for boarding and day students with enriching weekend activities, dorm programming and student leadership opportunities. 

At the heart of the structure, activities and programming, though, lies a commitment to know each student, and be known by them. Mb is known for being approachable, calm and direct, modeling for students what it means to be an invested member of the George School community.

“Bringing authenticity and vulnerability to my conversations with students is a necessary act of strength that helps them grow into their own selves,” Mb shared. “This approach has driven my interactions throughout my career. I take my job seriously, but try not to take myself too seriously.”