Dr. Lauren Miskin Named The Ackerman Family Distinguished Teacher

This impactful gift made by the Foundation, Samantha Ackerman Asch ’91, Paula Ackerman Menendez ’87, David B. Ackerman, Eddie Ackerman, Emma Mechtilda Simons ’21, and Lilly Wilhelmina Simons ’24, continues and builds on the Ackerman family’s significant commitment to Hockaday and Hockaday’s faculty. The Ackerman family previously endowed The Ackerman Family Endowment for Faculty Support and Recognition, The Mr. and Mrs. Edward M. Ackerman Endowed Faculty Fund and Financial Aid Fund, and The Dr. Beverly Lawson Endowment Fund in support of the Science Department and has supported the School in many other significant ways.   

Middle School English Teacher, Dr. Lauren Miskin, will serve as The Ackerman Family Distinguished Teacher, effective July 1, 2024. Dr. Miskin joined Hockaday’s English Department in 2018 as a Middle and Upper School teacher. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Classical Studies from the College of New Jersey, a Master of Arts in English from Drew University, and a PhD in British Literature from Southern Methodist University. Before joining Hockaday's faculty, Dr. Miskin received SMU’s Hughes Fellowship and held a Lecturer post at the University of Texas, Arlington. Her academic research explores the interplay between fashion and literature and has been featured in several peer-reviewed journals.  

Dr. Miskin embodies the spirit of excellence, innovation, and mentorship in every facet of her work. She strives to show her students that literary studies can offer new perspectives and glimpses into history while also teaching them the concrete skills of analysis and self-expression they will need throughout their lives. She is gifted in curriculum design and pedagogy, constantly evaluating and improving, resulting in an innovative Eighth Grade English Social Impact class and several cross-disciplinary collaborations. Her clear understanding of how to teach the art of writing and analysis of literature ignites a passion for storytelling and critical thinking within her students. Dr. Miskin cultivates a sense of belonging and collaboration in her classroom, which nurtures her students’ growth as writers and individuals. Her leadership in launching the Middle School Writing Center interns and her thoughtful plan for expanding this work in the Lower School is transforming how all our students view the writing process. Beyond the classroom, Lauren Miskin is a mentor, generously sharing her innovative approaches and wisdom with colleagues and enriching the Hockaday community.