For more than twenty years, Mark H. Mullin served as headmaster of St. Albans School in Washington, D.C. Now, for the first time, he brings us into the hallways of the most prestigious preparatory school in the nation's capital. The Headmaster's Run takes readers on the journey of an Illinois high school runner who becomes Ivy League champion and leader of his class at Harvard. As a Marshall Scholar, he continues his academic and athletic pursuits at Oxford and marries the love of his life, Martha, while preparing to become an Episcopal priest. His training takes him and his wife to an Alaskan Indian village and a parish in Spanish Harlem. Mullin then becomes a young chaplain and teacher at the Choate School during the cultural upheaval of the 1960s. In this memoir, the author tells stories from his life and work, including surviving a fatal storm on the Irish Sea, late night faculty parties, and Halloween antics. Mullin writes of the challenges of becoming headmaster of St. Albans in his thirties, raising three children in Washington, D.C., and attempting to share with his students the ideals of courage and truth. He takes us behind the scenes as he educates the sons of the powerful, counsels a teacher diagnosed with AIDS, and confronts his own controversial departure from St. Albans. At its heart, The Headmaster's Run is the story of a man committed to education, faith, and family. “Mark Mullin's book gives us all admission to the world of private secondary education. To read it is to make a new friend...[this] book is proof that a life well led can produce laughter, insight, adventure, and a loving family. His teaching career is far from over, and this effort will make him a 'favorite teacher' for anyone who reads it.” ―Tom Laporte, Assistant Commissioner of Water Management, the City of Chicago “Mark Mullin's fascinating account of his life and ministry is so reflective of the Mark Mullin I know: authentic, deeply committed to the dual life of priest and teacher, a devoted family man, and a lover of irony and laughter. The pages of this book ring true to the person Mark is, and the reader will be inspired by this engaging model of what education, in its fullest sense, is all about.” ―Daniel Heischman, executive director, National Association of Episcopal Schools “Mark Mullin deftly takes you into his world with a heart-thumping description of a scholar athlete running a record-breaking race, as a young priest and headmaster experiencing the joy (and challenges) of helping to mold young boys' characters; and his bewilderment when his career is shattered when he collides headlong with his combative board of governors. Mullin shares through vivid vignettes how his strong faith and the deep love of his wife and children sustain him as he outdistances his demons and crafts a second successful career as a headmaster. The Headmaster's Run is a wonderful story, full of life lessons, beautifully told.” ―Fredrick Hauck, NASA astronaut, commander, space shuttle Discovery “A gifted storyteller, Mark Mullin has written a poignant and delightful book about growing up-and about continuing to grow after having grown up. He writes compellingly about the challenges and joys of running-of running track, of running one of the nation's leading schools, of running a busy and productive life enriched by family, treasured friendships, unexpected events, and moments made special by Mullin's determination to make them so. I would recommend this book to any person trying to figure out which races in life they want to run and how they want to run them. It will also be enjoyed by those who are heading down the home stretch toward the finish line.” ―Christopher Wadsworth, associate executive director, International Boys' Schools Coalition “Upon reading just the first few pages of experiences relayed in this remarkable book, I was reminded of Huxley's quote that 'Experience teaches only the teachable.' Reading on, I found personal stories not only of Aldous Huxley, but also Ernest Hemingway, B.F. Skinner, Paul Tillich and countless other teachers and writers. Mark Mullin's experience as a leader in education demonstrates that he has been both teachable and 'reachable' by both students and faculty. From quiz kid to track star to headmaster, Mark Mullin has run the good race, generously sharing the lessons that he has learned along the way.” ―Gregory Saathoff M.D., executive director, Critical Incident Analysis Group, University of Virginia School of Medicine “In The Headmaster's Run , Mark Mullin has given us a brilliant anecdotal memoir-one that reveals a life which has blended the classical Greek zest for excellence with Christian compassion and very secular Irish mischief. It is a case study sampler of how to cope with challenge and opportunity in education; as much about leadership as about teaching, as much about love of family and friends as about pride in personal achievement, as much about fun as high standards.