PowerfullyPrepared

Our alumni demonstrate that our graduates are exceedingly well-prepared for college, careers, and beyond. Passionate and hardworking, these alumni are making meaningful contributions, and we are proud to be part of their journey.

Siobhan Teare ’77: A Legacy of Leadership

Siobhan Teare ’77

A Legacy
of Leadership

A celebrated attorney and judge who has been honored with the New Jersey Professional Lawyer of the Year Award, Siobhan Teare ’77 traces her legacy of civic responsibility and leadership to her days as a student at Morristown Beard School. Judge Teare, who serves as a Superior Court Judge for the State of New Jersey, was active in the Student Government Association (SGA) and athletics throughout her time at MBS.

“The camaraderie among the players and the team spirit are among my fondest memories at MBS,” she said. “Whether we won or lost, we always had a good time and worked as hard as possible.”

Judge Teare played field hockey, basketball, lacrosse, track, tennis, and volleyball at MBS, and she served as captain of the field hockey and basketball teams during her senior year. By participating in sports and student government, she learned to set her expectations high and develop a mindset that anything was possible with mental focus.

As a junior, Judge Teare helped lead the Crimson field hockey team to the “B” Division State Championship of the New Jersey Independent School Tournament—the very first title ever won by a Morristown Beard School girls athletic team. It was a thrilling experience that she will never forget.

“It was completely unexpected, and we were pretty much viewed as the underdog,” said Judge Teare. “The team worked hard and really pulled together to play our very best games, and we won the tournament. It was a clear example that teamwork and working hard can make anything possible.”

The 1975 championship team was coached by Lynn Daniels, who came to MBS from The Beard School during the merger and had a profound impact on Judge Teare.

“She was strict but fair and very balanced in her approach to coaching and not playing favorites among the athletes. She really ingrained in the athletes a belief that hard work truly pays off in the long run and that it’s always worth the effort,” said Judge Teare. “Even after Ms. Daniels’ retirement, we stayed in touch, and I was honored to have her attend my swearing in ceremony as a New Jersey State Judge.”

After graduating from MBS, Judge Teare received a B.A. in history and political science from Tufts University before earning her J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law in Newark. Prior to joining the Superior Court in 2005, she worked at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) as the director of legal management. She has also served as the chief assistant prosecutor in Essex County, counsel for East Orange and Plainfield, and worked in private practice.

Throughout her career, she has relied on the lessons and values that were reinforced on the playing field—integrity, honesty, commitment, and collaboration.

“Teamwork is everything,”she said.“There is nothing you do in life that doesn’t require the skills you learned as an athlete—being a good listener and communicator, a hard worker, and one who practices consistently until mastering a task.”

She said that she is encouraged by the growth of women’s sports since her days as a student-athlete.

“During my last three years of high school, we didn’t have enough players to field a girls lacrosse team, which was very disappointing, but I ended up joining the New Jersey Women’s Lacrosse League and played throughout the state,” she said. “Today, MBS has demonstratively expanded its athletic offerings for girls to include soccer, swimming, ice hockey, skiing, and many more teams. I can only imagine how far it will continue to expand!”

 


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