After eight years at Parker, Upper School Counselor and Department Chair Binita Donohue is leaving November 12 for a position at the Loyola University School of Social Work. On October 13, Upper School Head Chris Arnold announced Donohue’s departure and said that they had started a search for a temporary replacement.

Donohue began working part-time at Loyola as a Field Liaison in January 2020. Though Donohue was not explicitly looking for a new job, her colleague Michael Kelly, a professor at the school, died this September.

“They asked me to come and plug some holes, so it’s an opportunity that I felt like I could not say no to,” Donohue said. “Because of the loss they needed someone as soon as possible.”

Though she was not looking for a new position, Donohue says she is excited to examine her role in the field. “It’s always good to explore,” Donohue said. “How am I growing, how am I impacting the world around me, how am I not just adding value, but am I getting enriched? Am I able to enrich others?”

Kelly was building curriculum to train for social work in schools and created a post-master’s certificate and summer institute, work that Donohue will continue and bolster with her experience working in schools. She will also be a part of the team creating an online Masters of Social Work program.

Within Parker, Donohue said the 5-part “Embrace the Race” workshop she co-facilitated with Upper School English Teacher Stacey Gibson was one of the highlights of her work. “I respect everything about Stacey,” Donohue said.

“Donohue has helped students find their voice in their most vulnerable times, championed Social-Emotional Learning, and helped teachers be empathetic teachers by leading by example,” Arnold said in an announcement to parents.

In an email to “the Weekly,” Arnold said that the search for a one-year replacement for Donohue has begun. Counseling/Community Health Department Chair and Lower School Counselor Dr. Kaela Rowe is screening candidates by phone to select two to three finalists for interviews with administrators, including Principal Dan Frank and Assistant Principal Priyanka Rupani.

“Our goal is to find someone who can fill Ms. Donohue’s shoes. We want someone who is warm, empathetic, experienced and understands the complexities of working with adolescents,” Arnold said.

Search for a permanent replacement for Donohue will begin in the spring. Arnold hopes to find someone temporarily by November 12, Donohue’s last day.

“I plan to meet with Ms. Donohue to review all of the intricacies of her job, the people – students and adults – she supported in the community to make sure no one falls through the cracks,” Arnold said.

None of Donohue’s classes will be cancelled, though some sections of freshman Health and Senior Seminar may be taught by Upper School Counselor Dr. Gary Childrey. Childrey says he will work with Donohue and her replacement to redistribute her case-load. “We’ll work something out either with the new person or me,” Childrey said.

Donohue said she hopes mental health remains a priority at Parker. “Health and wellbeing at Parker is both evolving and devolving,” Donohue said. “It is an organic, dynamic process – not linear.  During the pandemic I have had to double my efforts at my own mental wellness. Are we, as a community, committed to that?”

Childrey said that Donohue will be missed. “It’s a tremendous loss for the department, for Parker. She’s just a jack of all trades,” Childrey said. “She’s a wonderful person — kind, caring, hardworking. Just an outstanding person.”

“I was actually part of the committee that hired her, and she was a great hire – one of the best,” Childrey said.

Donohue came the same year as former Intermediate and Middle School Head John Novick.

“He said, ‘Binita, a lot of this stuff was going on well before we got here, and it’ll be going on well after we leave,’’ Donohue said. “We influence the people around us, and some of that is random and some of that is very intentional, but I am trying to stay true to the thing in front of me and walk through the open door that is calling.”

“Before I came here, I was through with education, I thought it was a system that was totally broken,” Donohue said. “Then I came here and I’m like, huh, is there someone doing it a different way?”

Donohue said that she is grateful to Parker for her students and colleagues. “I am so appreciative of my Counseling colleagues, especially Gary Childrey, as well as Cory Zeller, Theresa Collins, Bridget Walsh and Elizabeth Druger,” Donohue said, “and Leslie Holland Pryor for all that she has done for me.”

 “I know it’s not perfect,” Donohue said. “Parker has given me a vision for myself and a way to experience my own authority and power that I have not received anywhere else.”