Celebrating the Life of Jane Dunlap

We are heartbroken to share that long-time former faculty member Jane Dunlap died on Sunday, September 17. A fierce advocate for the importance of teaching Latin, Jane Dunlap was a vibrant spirit who balanced a wide range of students over the course of five decades at George School.

Jane Dunlap (nee McCormick) first stepped onto the George School campus in 1966 as a recent graduate of Wilson College with a double major in Latin and Greek. In addition to teaching Latin and Language Arts, over the span of her George School career she served as dorm parent; girls’ day student sponsor; head of the language department; leader of numerous school trips to Italy; supervisor of Trenton tutoring, Chandler Hall, and Red Cross service projects; AP/IB testing coordinator; coach of synchronized swimming; and coordinator of Commencement.

“She made everyone feel capable, turning the lovers of Latin into scholars and the strugglers into achievers,” remembered Associate Head of School Scott Spence. “With a thoughtful and reflective style, not just her love of Latin came through, but also her love of architecture, archeology, anthropology, sociology, religion, and literature.”

A leader and an innovator, Jane was a Laramore chair holder, Swayne preceptor, curriculum development grant recipient, and technology investigation grant recipient. She constantly created new and exciting ways to teach her students, with an ever-evolving curriculum and a commitment to innovative pedagogical practices.

Though she took a break from George School here and there during her tenure to spend more time with her own children, she made everyone she worked with in this community feel like family too. She retired in 2017 to spend time with her family, including her beloved husband Dirk who himself enjoyed an illustrious career at George School and later as Head of Newtown Friends School. Jane had three children—Lizzie, who graduated from George School in 2001, two sons, Dirk and Scott, and six granddaughters.

In a 2022 interview, Lucy Lang ’99 reflected on how Jane, her advisor, helped her adjust to boarding school. “Jane took a vital role in helping me overcome the homesickness I felt in my early days on campus. She was also my father’s Latin teacher, so I feel like I had a particular connection to her.”

Jane was a warm spirit and a sharp colleague whose wit and life vision guided students, advisees, parents, and fellow colleagues throughout her forty-three years at George School.

View Jane’s obituary here.