Mrs. King joined Episcopal Day School in 1999, initially seeking volunteer hours for her psychology degree. What began as six months of volunteer work quickly evolved into a full-time position—she became the school’s very first teaching assistant. Though not part of her original life plan, a love of education took root, and over the next two decades, Mrs. King became a central and beloved figure in our community.
She began her EDS career assisting in first and second grade before transitioning into physical education. With a background in personal training and a growing passion for working with children, she stepped into the role of PE teacher and never looked back. From that point forward, she immersed herself in professional development, attending conferences and courses to hone her skills and meet the evolving needs of her students. Over the years, Mrs. King has taught PE to every grade from preschool through eighth, spending countless hours leading energetic classes outdoors—rain or shine—and holding down nearly every recess duty imaginable.
Eventually, her focus narrowed to teaching the younger grades while simultaneously stepping into her current role as Athletic Director. Even now, she continues to teach PreK and Kindergarten PE, finding joy in the connection and laughter of her youngest students, who she says "overflow her feelings bucket" every time she sees them.
Throughout her tenure, Mrs. King has also taken on countless other roles—filling in wherever needed and doing so with heart. She is known for her deep care for children, her ability to adapt and grow as an educator, and her commitment to nurturing the whole child. Mrs. King has long prioritized building relationships—with students, families, and colleagues alike—and credits her growth as a teacher to both her early mentors and to the children themselves, who have been her greatest teachers.
Her devotion to Episcopal Day is unwavering—not only has she spent more than half her life here, but she’s also had the unique joy of watching her own two daughters grow up at the school. Mrs. King’s story is one of commitment, flexibility, and care, and we are honored to celebrate her extraordinary 26 years at Episcopal Day School.
Ms. Long joined Episcopal Day close to the turn of the 21st century as our very first Spanish teacher for Pre-K through 4th grade—a part-time position at the time, just two days a week. Before her arrival, French was the only language course offered at the school, making her role a key part of the school’s evolving curriculum. In her second year, Ms. Long wore many hats, continuing to teach Spanish while also coordinating parent education nights, organizing high school night, managing emergency preparedness (including an impressively orchestrated drill complete with student actors, first aid tents, and a full search and rescue team), and even stepping into drama.
She found her true calling when, in her third year, she was able to combine her love of language with her passion for the arts. When the art teacher position opened up, Ms. Long stepped in to teach both Spanish and art. As the school grew, so did her role, eventually transitioning into a full-time visual arts teacher for the middle school, where she also serves as a homeroom advisor.
Her classroom is a joyful, grounded space—a third-floor studio brimming with color, creativity, and care. Students in Ms. Long’s classes explore painting, sculpture, drawing, ceramics, printmaking, and more, often connecting their work to environmental themes and the legacies of historical, modern, and local artists. Her dedication to displaying and celebrating student art is visible throughout the school and the wider community.
Before joining Episcopal Day, Ms. Long taught at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Day School in New Orleans and in public schools in Northern Virginia. Here at EDS, she is not only a gifted teacher but a wise and trusted colleague—known for her gentle strength, her open mind, and her unwavering support for students and peers alike.
We are grateful for your 25 years of service, Ms. Long. Your legacy of care, creativity, and commitment continues to shape our community in lasting ways.
Mrs. Julie McMillan joined Episcopal Day in the 1998–1999 school year, drawn by the opportunity to teach in a community that aligned with her values and approach. A colleague from her previous school, St. Pius in Redwood City, reached out to say, “You want my job!”—and she was absolutely right. From her very first year teaching 5th and 6th grade Language Arts and Social Studies, Mrs. McMillan found the freedom to teach in the way she loved, in a school that supported her as a professional and a person.
Over the years, Mrs. McMillan has been a consistent, thoughtful, and deeply committed presence in the middle school. She has served as a homeroom teacher and advisor for both 5th and 6th grades, accompanying students on memorable trips to Yosemite, Caritas Creek, Angel Island, and the Bay Model in Sausalito—many of which came with their share of unexpected “adventures.”
Before the school had a formal student services program, Mrs. McMillan stepped in to support learners with diverse needs, working with students one-on-one and in small groups. She became a leader in executive functioning instruction and learning support, and her work helped lay the foundation for the robust system in place today. She also created the school’s after-school study hall program—giving students time to complete homework before heading to practice or other activities—which later became a regular part of the school day.
Mrs. McMillan’s leadership has touched nearly every corner of campus. She launched the school’s partnership with Samaritan House, co-led curriculum reviews, chaired accreditation efforts, mentored new teachers and administrators, and served on hiring and admissions teams. She was also instrumental in redesigning the middle school report card and served for many years as the editor of Ink Spills, the school’s beloved annual literary journal, overseeing everything from submissions to printing.
Whether leading student clubs (from photography and crafts to Italian and cursive), facilitating SSAT prep for 8th graders, or bringing wellness programs to faculty lounges, Mrs. McMillan has consistently gone above and beyond to enrich school life. She even helped envision a more age-appropriate structure for the 5th grade transition, placing greater emphasis on executive functioning and fewer daily transitions.
A passionate lifelong learner herself, Mrs. McMillan has traveled across the country for professional development—from Responsive Classroom training in Connecticut to Teachers College at Columbia, and national education conferences in New Orleans, Chicago, St. Louis, and beyond. At every turn, she has brought back insights and renewed energy to her students and colleagues.
We are immensely grateful for your 27 years of service, Mrs. McMillan. You’ve shaped this community with your clarity, compassion, wisdom, and heart.