A RO U N D M K A
FOUNDERS’ CUP 2015 Congratulations to Department Chair of the Middle School Physical Education Department and the Middle School Coordinator of the Department of Athletics, Kenneth Smith who was named the recipient of the 2015 Founders’ Cup for Teaching Excellence. Presented annually by the Alumni Association, the Founders’ Cup is based on nominations from all MKA constituencies. The award honors a fulltime faculty member who exemplifies the highest levels of teaching and who contributes to the well-being of the MKA community, both in and out of school. Smith, who received his B.S. from Gordon College, has taught at MKA since 1984. Ken holds an “A” license from the USA Soccer Federation and the Advanced Coaching Diploma from the USA Ice Hockey Association. He was a tri-captain for the ice hockey team at Gordon College and received the coach’s award in 1982. Ken continues to play soccer and hockey in an adult league. He is an avid water skier and lake trout fisherman. Alumni Council president Jaclyn Spedaliere ’00 presented the award at the end of year faculty meeting, adding her own personal reflections of having Coach Smith as her soccer coach for all four years of her Upper School experience. She went on to read quotes from students, alumni, parents and peers received on Smith’s behalf, among which were the following: Ken has been teaching and coaching at MKA for decades, and has been a positive influence on hundreds of young men and women at a critical stage in their lives. Nobody sets a better daily example of living a life of “character” and “ethics” than Ken, and I am very grateful that he was such a wonderful role model for our three children. Coach Smith has always gone above and beyond the classroom and the soccer field. As a former student/ athlete of his, I learned life lessons from him, such as perseverance and determination. Coach Smith always encouraged us to fight hard, to never give up no matter the score, and to always do so with integrity, your head held high, always representing yourself, your family and your school respectfully .... all life lessons. I was a better student and athlete because of the person he portrayed, and the person he so instilled in all of us to be. As a proud MKA alumnus, I often reflect on my time at the school, remembering friendships forged and lessons learned. The majority of these terrific memories include Ken Smith. Ken is a great mentor … when I think of educators who took me from the “beginning to end” at MKA, Ken Smith is the first and only person I can consider as an all-encompassing educator.
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MKA review / Mon tc l a i r K i m b e r l e y A c a de my
Thank You’s and Welcomes MKA BIDS A FOND FAREWELL TO THREE REMARKABLE RETIREES: Administrative Assistant to the Head of Upper School, Ann Weintraub retires after a 27-year career at MKA. / It was bittersweet to watch Randy Svane conduct his 46th and final concert at MKA this year. MKA wishes him good luck and best wishes for the next chapter of his life. / Beth DeRose (Administrative Assistant to Admissions) MKA SAYS “FAREWELL AND THANK YOU” TO: Kathy Bahri (Administrative Assistant to Director of Curriculum and Professional Development), Jason Bink (Upper School Science), Jill Earle (Upper School Nurse), Susan FitzGibbon (Middle School 5th grade), Dr. Carrie Flyer (Upper School Science), Andrea Gershwin (Associate Director, College Counseling), Dustin Good (Middle School 5th Grade), Alex Gordon (Middle School Theater), Nathaniel Green (Upper School History), Regina Henry (Primary School Kindergarten), Debbie Kozak (Associate Director of Communications and Marketing), Tracy Kuser (Director of Global Programs), Reshan Richards (Director of Educational Technology), Colleen Ruplinger (Primary School 1st Grade), Sheila Sarma (Primary School 2nd grade), Meghan Schorr (Primary School 3rd grade) Jamie Seagraves (Upper School Foreign Language) and Dr. Jeanne Tsai (Upper School Science and World Language) AND WELCOMES: Meg Arcadia (Primary School 1st Grade) Cortland Bosc (Upper School, Director of Global Experience) Virginia Bartolone (Assistant to Director of Curriculum and Professional Development), Timothy Cook (Middle School, Language Arts) Kathryn Davison (Chief Financial Official), Kaura Doto (Academic Support Consultant), Brittany Estrella (Middle School 4th grade), Scott Geter (Middle School Science), Diane Giangreco (Middle School Fine and Perfroming Arts Technical Theater), Katherine Hazelton (Primary School 3rd grade), Emily Healy (Upper School History), Molly Herforth (MS Educational Technology Coordinator), Laini Homer (Admissions Associate), Chelsea Intrabartola (5th grade), Gretchen levers (Primary School Kindergarten), Peter Jensen (Upper School World Language) Breanna Jones ( Primary School 1st Grade) Deanna Lowe (Upper School Nurse), Katherine Lyon (Upper School Science), Kaitlin Maillet (Associate Director Alumni Relations), Erin McMenamin (Primary School 2nd grade), Kiersten Paine ( Middle School Assistant Librarian), Charles Postas, Jr. (Middle School Middle School Fine and Perfroming Arts Vocal Music), Rose- Ann Robinson ( Middle School Language Arts) Amy Shapiro (Senior Associate Director of College Counseling), Allison Shearin (Annual Giving Associate) Rebecca Thompson (Upper School Math), Emily Tompsett (Upper School Computer Science/Math), Dr. Valbona Zylo-Watkins ( Upper School World Language) AND CONGRATULATES OLD FACES IN NEW PLACES: Maria Gilmartin assumes the role of Upper School Chorale Director, and Ben Goodrich assumes the role of Director of Educational Technology