While we clean out our lockers and wave goodbye to friends, Princeton Day School prepares to bid farewell to a cherished faculty member: Ms. Denise Driscoll. Known for her warm heart, engaging lessons, and tireless dedication, Ms. Driscoll will be greatly missed by students and faculty alike.
From bringing in her colleague’s favorite baked goods to meeting with students at any given time, her presence in the school community extended far beyond her classroom. After teaching AP Government and Politics and American History as a leave replacement during the 2023-2024 school year, Ms. Driscoll continued to teach American History, bringing the past into life with deep and meaningful classes.
Prior to joining PDS, she worked at Stuart Country Day School, where she served as a history teacher and department chair for numerous years. She first joined Stuart in the fall of 1988 to teach history in the Upper School; just two years later, she was appointed Head of History Department (Tartan Monthly, Stuart Country Day). It was at Stuart that she found her love for teaching American History—a passion she generously shared with the PDS community.
Her colleagues quickly took note of her commitment. History teacher David Freedholm recalled that she would spend hours grading papers, answering emails, and so much more: “I could see her dedication to her students—she would meet with them all the time whenever they came looking for her.”
Now, as she enters retirement, Ms. Driscoll is looking forward to a well-deserved European cruise, and is eager to travel and spend more time with her recently retired husband. Additionally, Mr. Freedholm shared that “she’s an avid reader and loves to read a number of books about American history.” Thus, it’s no surprise that her retirement will be filled with turning the pages of books, especially ones about American history or written by authors such as Robert Caro.
Although she may be leaving the classroom, Ms. Driscoll’s legacy will remain in the minds of students and colleagues who admired her. Her impact is lasting, and her presence will truly be missed by the PDS community.
