Charles Donovan Email and Phone Number

I've been a classroom teacher at Loyola Blakefield since 2005, and have taught classes in all three disciplines, to all four class years, at three different levels. Courses taught include AP Biology, Honors Biology, College Prep Biology, Honors Chemistry, College Prep Chemistry, and College Prep Physics. In 2015, my colleagues voted me a recipient of the inaugural Marcus Ryu Excellence Award, designed "to reward and recognize the highest talent within the faculty and staff of Loyola Blakefield" and presented to those who "demonstrate accomplishments beyond the regular scope and assigned duties as employees ... who most improve the classroom or campus experience to further Loyola’s success". I have served on numerous committees, most recently working with the assistant principal for academics to revise the daily schedule to improve learning outcomes. I've also served as a sophomore, junior, and senior homeroom advisor.

As head coach of a 50-student nationally-competitive program that spans upper and middle school, I am heavily involved in developing student skills and preparing them to compete in over 25 local, regional, and national tournaments over the course of the full school year. Hiring coaches, overseeing logistics, planning and monitoring budget, setting a vision for the program, training student leaders, and managing relationships with a wide variety of constituent groups all fall within my duties. Team honors we have received include: National Champions (2010, National Catholic Forensics League), State of Maryland Champions (2019), Baltimore Metro Champions (2009-2014, 2017-2019), Baltimore Catholic Forensics League), Leading Chapter Award (2012 and 2019, National Speech and Debate Association), Chesapeake (MD/DE/DC) District Champions (2011-2013).Individual student honors include: National Champions in Oral Interpretation of LIterature (NCFL 2013) and Impromptu (NSDA 2010), 6 qualifiers to the Debate Tournament of Champions (2009-16), 6 All-Americans (2009-2017), 17 Academic All-Americans (2009-19), 48 BCFL Metro Champions (2009-20), and 40 Chesapeake District Champions (2009-20). Coaching honors include a Third Diamond Coaching Award and the Distinguished Service Key Award from the National Speech and Debate Association (both presented in 2019). In 2010 I received a Circle of Champions Coach Award from NSDA, and in 2011 George Mason University presented me with a Mason Mentor Award for my work in the speech and debate community.

Camp O-AT-KA is the oldest continuously operating boys' summer camp in the United States, and has been building strong boys since 1906. As Summer Director, it is my ultimate responsibility to provide a safe, fun, caring, and educational experience for a group of 200 campers and staff. Other duties include ensuring advancement of the camp's mission and compliance with American Camp Association standards and local regulations, designing and overseeing implementation of programs and activities, recruiting and training and evaluating staff, coordinating initiatives across varied cabin groups and program areas, managing and coordinating efforts of the leadership team to ensure smooth operations, maintaining communication with numerous constituencies, and making recommendations to and preparing reports for the corporation and Board of Directors.

As Program Director, my primary duty was chief of scheduling and daily operations for a camp of 200 campers and staff. In my tenure, I implemented program improvements that raised camper retention from below 50% to 67%; oversaw successful accreditation by the American Camp Association in 2014; Designed, delivered, and evaluated programs that met needs and interests of campers and staff; Developed processes to promote and ensure a fun, safe, and skill-building environment; Developed, coded, and maintained the camp program database using Microsoft Access; and prepared annual reports for the Summer Director.

As a cabin counselor, my primary duty was to care for the group of 6-8 young men that were assigned to my bunk, and help them to have a safe, fun, educational, and rewarding summer. Troubleshooting, collaborating with colleagues, and creative thinking were daily necessities. I was also responsible for teaching five periods a day of crafts. As head of nature, I developed a program to help campers explore and learn about the world around them, taking advantage of the natural woodland and lake setting of the camp.

As a classroom teacher at Loyola School, I taught honors chemistry, chemistry, and AP Biology. I also served on the admissions committee, interviewing candidates and providing input in admissions decisions. I also coached Loyola's speech team, growing the program, improving the schedule, and ensuring renewal of the school's NSDA Charter.