WELCOME MATT SMITH Director of North Country School

NORTH COUNTRY SCHOOL IS pleased to welcome Matthew Smith, who started as our new Director of School on July 1. Matt’s outstanding record of impactful leadership with his students, colleagues, and the institutions he’s worked for distinguished him as the type of leader we were seeking. We are confident he will bring his energy and vision to our campus, and in doing so he will enhance our learning community to reach its fullest potential.

In his most recent position as Department Chair at Lawrence Academy, Matt led 12 English teachers and served 400 students. He was also the Program Director of the school’s boys’ lacrosse team, which he grew from 29 to 61 players in just two years.

Matt began his career in banking as a Senior Mutual Fund Analyst with Brown Brothers

Harriman & Co. after receiving his bachelor’s in government international relations from Wesleyan University in 2006. Upon realizing that education was his true passion, Matt returned to Wesleyan University in 2009 and received his master’s in English in 2011. He worked summers as a middle school English teacher at Choate Rosemary Hall from 2011–2013, and took a job teaching middle and high school English at Stratton Mountain School in the fall of 2011. Four years later he was appointed the Director of Residential Life at Stratton, and in 2016 he was appointed Dean of Students. In that role, Matt oversaw and managed student life for 125 students ages 11 to

19. In the fall of 2017, Matt took on his current position as an English teacher and English Department Chair at Lawrence Academy.

While it’s true that Matt’s most recent resume is impressive, it was his understanding of North Country School—its connection to nature; its dedication to community and hands-on education—that most stood out to us.

“My family and I visited NCS on a frigid day in February, and I knew NCS was the right place for us when my daughter woke up asking to do barn chores the next morning,” Matt said. “Seeing the school through her 2-year-old eyes let me experience the beauty of the campus and community in a new light.” I knew that I believed in the mission and loved the setting long before arriving at NCS, but watching her chase the sheep, skip around the dining hall, and bomb down the slides on campus made me realize what an extraordinary environment—physical and philosophical—NCS fosters.”

To Matt, education at North Country School doesn’t just happen in the classroom. He believes that the experiences of being part of our community—cleaning up the dining room and kitchen, hiking up winter 46ers, or mucking stalls before class— are integral to the education here. We couldn’t agree more. It’s also worth noting that Matt and his family already feel a connection to the Adirondacks. He and his wife, Reid, own a summer home in Keene Valley, and Matt said he wants his daughters to grow up exploring Johns Brook Valley, just as he has over the years.

The hiring process was spearheaded by a committee co-chaired by Courtney Allen and Caroline Hlavacek Perry and consisting of faculty, staff, and alumni. The committee devoted their time and gave this process insight and thoughtful consideration.

Please join us in welcoming Matt and his family!