Jeff Sanborn - Retired Faculty & Staff - McDonogh School

Jeff Sanborn

Since he arrived on our campus in 1984, Jeff Sanborn has been around the track a few times! He has also been around the first floor of Allan Building; the admissions and financial aid offices; campus housing at various locations; and every road, trail, or walking path within a hundred miles of here...including Sanborn Hill. He has been almost everywhere and done almost everything - and the McDonogh community is much the better for it.

Early in his career at McDonogh, Jeff served our school as the Assistant Director of Admissions, Director of Financial Aid, and Director of Boarding. He used his considerable people skills to find and make good matches between students and the school. He also served as an advisor to the Rollins-Luetkemeyer Leaders. For 37 years, he has taught American History and Government. Passers-by in the Allan hallway enjoy eavesdropping on a New England-accented voice in spirited discussion with younger voices about everything from the colonies to current events.

In recognition of his abilities as an educator, Jeff was awarded the Howard C. “Dutch” Eyth Teaching Chair in 2005. Recently, the Insley family endowed a scholarship in his name, describing him as an outstanding professional who “inspired our children to become passionate students of the world around them.” 

As a Track and Cross-Country coach, Jeff builds great rapport with athletes and inspires them through his example. He is a passionate, energetic, caring coach who expects the best from himself and his athletes. The Baltimore Sun, in awarding him Coach of the Year in 2009, said he “gives everyone chances to shine individually while realizing that they are still part of a team.” Jeff was inducted into McDonogh’s Athletic Hall of Fame that same year.

A former Head of School described Jeff as a “first rate teacher, coach, father, and husband. He is a ‘good school man’ around whom we can build a strong, healthy community.” Jeff, thank you so very much for devoting 37 years of selfless service to McDonogh School. We are a better, braver, more caring community because of you. 

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