FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

CRMS Head of School Jeff Leahy addresses the crowd at the retirement celebration for Mark, AO, Lynn and George on Friday, May 6, 2022

Jeff Leahy, Head of School

This spring we had an opportunity to honor four individuals who have retired from CRMS after devoting their professional careers to the school community. It was a bittersweet occasion as the community gathered on the lawn east of the Bar Fork. No matter how well we plan and prepare in advance to blunt the impact of a long-term faculty member’s departure, we can only do so much to mitigate what is lost to the community.

We are so proud of the work of all our faculty and staff but there are some, by virtue of their lengthy tenures and incredible investment in the school, who have left a lasting imprint on our community; and in doing so, they have contributed to the unique qualities that make CRMS such a special place to live and learn. In a world that often promotes a hyper-individualism, our senior most faculty have – in their own countercultural way – embraced the values of community and the “we” over “me.”

While they contribute to the identity of the school, our most experienced faculty and staff are the tribal elders that ensure CRMS, with its rich history, holds on to the traditions and values that make it a special place. These individuals ensure that our program and our school culture continually remain in alignment with the vision and philosophy of the founders.

It really wasn’t that long ago that John and Anne Holden journeyed out to the West in what is now the iconic green International Harvester truck. At the time they spoke of “meaningful work” and had visions of a school that would be “the antidote to modern easy living.” When they arrived in the Roaring Fork Valley, they brought with them a keen notion of what it meant to be members of a community and to feel connected to the students through collective labor. We continue many of the traditions that were a part of the school from the very beginning: students and faculty interacting on a first name basis and everyone sharing in the work and responsibilities through household jobs and work crews. Our arts program and our access to the outdoors remain central to every student’s learning experience. And, perhaps, most importantly, we continue to respect and strive for community-oriented living.

CRMS has always had the good fortune of attracting people who were drawn and devoted to a school that values their energy, creativity, and commitment. In the absence of faculty leaders who could articulate and monitor the path, it would be easy for a school to go in numerous directions as it pursues individual interests and passions, essentially serving as satellites without a sun. The power of having an enduring presence of faculty who not only understand and embrace, but also articulate and demand alignment with the founding principles ensures that we remain on the same track.

Since the average tenure of a boarding school leader is less than a decade (this holds true at CRMS), the value of senior faculty and staff members who can articulate

and sustain important elements of a school’s culture and serve as a stabilizing and predictable presence throughout leadership transitions is that much more important. Senior faculty lead by understand the context from which the programming has been developed, and they serve as guides for the successful development of new experiences, as well as sharing a perspective on why certain cherished rituals should be preserved.

We are fortunate to have had in our community a group of senior faculty and staff who have modeled a spirit of generosity, kindness, and support. It is not hyperbole to suggest that the four individuals who retired at the end of this year have shaped and maintained who we collectively have become. Each of these individuals, in their own way, have left an indelible mark on our community, have established enduring programs, and have positively impacted the trajectory of countless students. They were all knowledgeable in their crafts, but what made them great was their belief in the students and their generosity of spirit. Their presence reminded us on a daily basis what John and Anne Holden wanted from us – a sense of purpose through hard work and a commitment to each other. It is what they indicate in their writings about what inspired them to found our school. Faculty who commit themselves and devote their professional careers serve to remind us that we got into education for the direct impact we can have on each student’s life.