Rob Kahn’s Redirection

Don a silly costume? Sing harmony in an ad hoc barbershop quartet? Pose as reading comprehension coach “Ian the Inferian,” find myriad ways to sculpt language into clever and irreverent puns, or find satire in even the driest of topics? That’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Landmark’s beloved Rob Kahn.

Rob’s journey to Landmark started in 1972 when, as a sophomore at Harvard, he found a posting for a summer job at Landmark School “teaching bright students who had difficulty reading.” Rob took the job, completed his undergraduate degree a couple of years later, and has been at Landmark full-time ever since. In his 49 years at the school, it is no exaggeration to say that he has positively impacted hundreds of faculty members and thousands of students.

In the early days, Rob taught language arts, served as an academic advisor, department head, and residential staffer at Landmark’s North Campus, now known as the Elementary•Middle School (EMS). Around this time, Rob and fellow teacher, Mary Beth Mould, fell in love, got married, and, as a talented couple with a wide range of skills, were asked by founder Charles Drake to head up to Nova Scotia, where a number of Landmark families were clamoring for a school that was closer to home for their students with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities. With financial support from these families, Landmark purchased the old Paramount Hotel (complete with disco in the back) to serve as the schoolhouse—and Landmark East was born.

KIERAN KESNER ‘09 ROB KAHN’S REDIRECTION

REDIRECTION

In the early 1980s, now with two young girls (Rachel and Emily) in tow, Rob and Mary were asked to return to the North Shore of Boston to help run Landmark’s elementary and middle school program, and in 1985, Rob took over as campus head. The rest, as they say, is history. But Rob’s tenure was anything but traditional or predictable. During his years as head, the student body more than doubled, he oversaw expanding facilities, numerous curriculum initiatives, fostered a valuable collaboration with peers in Japan, mentored hundreds of talented educators, and thousands of families entered the Landmark fold knowing that their children’s needs would be met and they would be seen, nurtured, and understood.

When Rob announced that he would “redirect” at the end of the 2019–2020 school year, he never imagined that his final months would be dominated by one of the most challenging chapters for the school, the sudden closure due to the COVID-19 health pandemic. In true Rob Kahn fashion, he capably and tirelessly led the campus through the haze of building out a robust, individualized, and effective remote learning program in a matter of weeks.

Rob has turned the reins of the EMS over to Claire Sullivan, former Language Arts co-department head. After 35 years as head and nearly 50 at Landmark, he began to plan this transition several years ago.

“Landmark has been a part of my life for five decades and it represents, literally, the opportunity of a lifetime. The overall feeling I have is one of thanks for having found a position where I could use my strengths to help people and to grow personally in so many ways. Imagine being able to turn around the educational paths of deserving students and imagine enabling dedicated faculty to do what they love to do, and you’ll understand my gratitude for the Landmark community. That gratitude now extends to serving in any way I can to help Claire and my colleagues as Landmark enters its second half century.”

We are all grateful that Rob has decided to redirect, rather than retire. Chapter two will be shaped by a variety of roles coordinating Landmark’s accreditation effort, teaching, blogging, special projects, and proud and involved grandfather of Milo and Charlie. And we take comfort in knowing that Ian the Inferian is not going far.

Since 1971 The Landmark Onion

ACADEMICS • THE ARTS • SILLY ANTICS

Ken Burns agrees to join EMS staffers Wendy Ellis, Meghan Sebens, and Gemma Flavin to expand Kahn documentary into a 10-part, 25-hour miniseries, with accompanying, thematic curriculum incorporating Landmark’s Six Teaching Principles™.

THOUGHTS ON ROB

“Rob’s intelligence, level-headedness, and dramatic capabilities, when required, are all admirable. But his innate kindness toward students and staff, his ability to assuage potentially challenging situations in his naturally patient way, is what I appreciate the most. Rob’s tenure is proof of the effective power to put community above all else. He leaves an undeniable mark on the history of this school.”

The Landmark Onion Volume 76

SILLY ANTICS • ATHLETICS • PASSION PROJECTS • NONSENSE • BY SCOTT HARLAN

With extra time on his hands, Rob revives “Four Guys with Bow Ties” barbershop quartet. Their first Zoom concert sparks appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s Late Night At Home Edition and earns group headlining honor for Landmark’s 50th Anniversary party on September 25, 2021.

Following successful launch of EMS Remote Online Learning Campus, Rob expands personal social media footprint becoming sought-after “influencer” and Instagram “Show and Tell” sensation.

“You have taught me to appreciate that the work itself is the reward—how doing the work well, in community, keeping faith with students, parents, and staff, brings the greatest joy, pride, and satisfaction. “Rob is kind, compassionate, intelligent, thoughtful, child-centered, research oriented, collaborative, responsible and accountable, committed, tireless, and always learning. These are just a few of the ways one might describe Rob—with all that these words imply about his impact on Landmark.

“These last years have been the best years that I have known and loved. School will not be the same without you there...thank you for making these past years so special for me.”

Retirements:

Betty Tremblay

FEBRUARY 14, 2003 I 17 YEARS Betty began her Landmark career on Valentine’s Day, 2003. It was 2°F that day and she was starting in the middle of the year, absent the typical three-week new faculty training and induction period. None of that held her back and for 17 years Betty served the families of Landmark School as a respected teacher, tutor, and assistant Language Arts department head. She has used the word “retirement” carefully and notes that she will continue to remain very active in many pursuits and will continue to stay connected to Landmark. Well done Betty!

Elizabeth Sarantos

JULY 1, 2006 I 14 YEARS Elizabeth’s wisdom, calm professionalism, and compassion will be greatly missed. She brought the perspective of serving others as a Landmark parent and a dedicated teacher to every assignment. Having Elizabeth for a tutorial or class meant an enduring relationship of trust. Her students immediately sensed they were in the hands of a master teacher who would support and challenge them.