Several Park Tudor faculty and staff members have decided to retire at the end of the 2016-2017 school year:

Joan Grinkmeyer

Upper School counselor Joan Grinkmeyer started at Park Tudor in 1999. In her 18 years here, Joan has worked tirelessly as an advocate for her students in the Upper School; her role encompasses personal counseling, leadership development, facilitation of community service/engagement opportunities, acting as Student Council sponsor and Freshman Class Council Coordinator, and serving as Washington Township social services liaison. Through the years she has helped students plan and execute hundreds of events, and has also been instrumental in coordinating Park Tudor's Habitat for Humanity builds. She has organized our freshman and senior retreats, as well as Upper School leadership retreats.

Before joining Park Tudor as Upper School Counselor in 1999, she was a Guidance Counselor at North Central High School, where she was named Teacher of the Year in 1998. She previously was a Guidance Counselor and Student Council sponsor at Western Boone Junior-Senior High School and taught social studies at Plainfield Junior-Senior High School and Crispus Attucks High School. Joan holds a B.S. in Secondary Social Studies Education from Indiana University, as well as a M.S. in School Counseling Services from Butler University.

Debbie March

Hilbert Center Director Debbie March is completing her 31st year at Park Tudor. Prior to becoming the Director of the Hilbert Center in 2015, Debbie spent 29 years as a kindergarten teacher at Park Tudor. She also served as the Lower School/Hilbert Center Admissions Coordinator for 15 years.

During her time at Park Tudor, Debbie served on eight all-school committees, including three ISACS Accreditation Steering Committees, Head of School Search Committees, and Academic Leadership Committees. She received eight "Toward Excellence" Grants for curriculum development projects, and co-authored a faculty evaluation process. In 1996, Debbie received the Tom H. Wright Faculty Development Award for leadership. She has been an adjunct faculty member at IUPUI's "Summer in the City" program, co-authored the book "Math in a Snap," and has been a national staff development workshop presenter.

Debbie's love of teaching extends beyond the classroom; she has been instrumental in parent education initiatives, including teaching "Active Parenting" classes and the "Pathways" program (a Park Tudor community education effort).

Debbie earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in elementary education from Ball State University.

Karen Pellico

Prior to joining Park Tudor, Upper School technology integrator Karen Pellico began her teaching career at the Hasten Hebrew Academy of Indianapolis, where she served as an administrator as well as a classroom teacher. Karen came to Park Tudor in 1985, creating Technology classes for Park Tudor's Super Saturday sessions, and then serving as the Lower School Technology Coordinator before moving to the Upper School Technology Department. Karen has enjoyed her experience teaching in grades kindergarten through 12, traveling with students to Williamsburg, creating school videos, and helping students with their technology needs.

Professionally, she has extensive training in technology and has presented technology workshops at national conferences. During her time at Park Tudor, she was the recipient of multiple "Toward Excellence" Awards. She created summer school Technology classes, and recently she has served as an assistant Coach for the Cyber Patriot Defense Club, as well as the eCampus Book Representative for the school, coordinating all of our online textbook ordering. Karen holds both B.S. and M.S. degrees in Education from Butler University.

Mike Smith

Upper School science teacher Mike Smith is completing his sixth year at Park Tudor.

Mike joined Park Tudor in 2011 after retiring from Eli Lilly & Co., where he enjoyed a successful career working in Lilly's research laboratories. As a biology teacher at Park Tudor, Mike has been able to share his real-world research experience with his students. Mike also has served as sponsor of the Student Medical Club, bringing in a variety of guests and speakers from the medical profession to offer their insights to students interested in pursuing careers in the medical field.

Mike is a registered Microbiologist and Immunologist with the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. He earned his B.S. in Biology from Wayne State University, and his M.S. in Biology from the University of Toledo.

Royce Thrush

Royce Thrush is completing his 32nd year as a member of the Park Tudor School music faculty where he teaches AP Music Theory, Music History, Private Piano, and serves as accompanist for the Upper and Middle School choirs. He has served as rehearsal/pit pianist for 31 Upper School Musical productions and has appeared on stage for countless choral concerts and vocal recitals. Additionally, he has accompanied many dozens of Park Tudor student vocalists and instrumentalists at ISSMA and Prelude Awards competitions. He is the 2008 recipient of the Prelude Awards' Outstanding Arts Educator Award and is included in the 1998, 2000, 2005, and 2006 editions of Who's Who Among America's Teachers.

Royce holds B.M. degrees in Piano and Music Education from the University of Indianapolis and a M.M. degree in Piano from Butler University. Among his principal teachers are Martin Marks, Dorothy Munger, John Gates, and Eleanor Lake. He has served as pianist/coach for Indianapolis Opera and pianist/music director at the Indiana Repertory Theatre where he has appeared on the main stage and in the Cabaret. He has taught at Butler University and served as pianist for the Indianapolis Arts Chorale, the Indianapolis Maennerchor, the Indianapolis Liederkranz, and the United States Collegiate Choir under the direction of former Head of School Bruce Galbraith. As soloist, Royce has appeared with the New World Chamber Orchestra, the Butler Symphony Orchestra, and the Indianapolis Civic Orchestra.

We thank Joan, Debbie, Karen, Mike and Royce for their service to Park Tudor, and wish them all the best in their future endeavors!