Killington Mountain School Names Claire Kershko New Head of School

The Board of Trustees of Killington Mountain School has announced the appointment of Claire Kershko as its next Head of School. The Board’s unanimous decision followed an enthusiastic recommendation by the school’s search committee. Kershko, who will assume her responsibilities by June 30, 2020, succeeds Tao Smith who will depart KMS after 19 years of excellent service.

Kershko is uniquely prepared for this role thanks to her time spent as a student-athlete in the Alpine program at KMS from 2007-2009, having landed at the school via participation in the Killington Ski Club and the KSC/KMS Development Program before joining the student body at the school. Her insight as an alumna, coupled with her experience as a college athlete and coach leave her well-suited to work alongside student-athletes, faculty and coaches to help lead the school forward in the spirit of its Mission Statement.

Kershko completed her undergraduate studies at Bates College, where she received a B.A. in Religious Studies. At Bates, She was captain of the Alpine Ski Team and eventually joined the program as an assistant coach, leading the team to strong annual showings at the NCAA Division 1 National Championships. Kershko was a financial analyst in Boston, MA before returning to coaching at Gould Academy, where she served as an admissions liaison and was both an alpine and soccer coach. Kershko went on to be named as the Assistant, and then Head Alpine Ski Coach at Clarkson University (Div. III), leading the team to annual USCSA National Championship appearances and coaching the men’s team to win a National Title in GS. While at Clarkson, she obtained her Master’s in Business Administration and currently exercises her promotional expertise in the marketing department of a Fortune 500 company.

Mike Hone, Chair of both the KMS Board of Trustees and the Head of School Search committee commented on Kershko’s appointment, “We couldn’t be more thrilled about the future of KMS with Claire at the helm. She comes to the role ahead of the game, as she has a deep and personal understanding of the inner-workings of KMS and already possesses a true investment in its success. As a Board we look forward to working alongside Claire as she leads the school through its next evolution.”

The school’s Search Committee and Trustees noted Kershko’s clear investment in and dedication to KMS, her enthusiasm, passion, and empathy, and felt her to be a collaborative

leader in possession of strong communication skills. Additionally, the group noted clear commitment to 21st Century academics and the values-based education that is critical to the ethos of the school. Director of Academics April Hayden observed, “With her higher education, business, and coaching experience, Claire brings a diverse skill set to KMS. As a KMS alumni, Claire is already part of the community and has the energy and enthusiasm to lead our team forward. We are thrilled to be working with Claire on the exciting next phase of the school’s evolution.”

Kershko’s experience as an alpine athlete and coach is considered a strong plus by many, including Mike Solimano, President and General Manager of Killington Resort. Because the school depends on a strong partnership and collaborative relationship with the Resort, having someone in the Head of School role who understands the nuances of things like hill space management and terrain preparation is key. Solimano commented, “Claire brings a great, new energy to this position. She understands competitive winter sports on and off the hill and truly appreciates the vital importance of aligning what the school is trying to accomplish with the goals of the Resort and the Killington community at large. We look forward to working with her.”

Kershko shared her thoughts about the position, “Returning to KMS as Head of School is a true homecoming, and this is a position that gives me a great sense of purpose. KMS is a family who has always remained dedicated to meeting students where they are by providing the tools and guidance necessary for success in academics, athletics and personal growth. This school is, and always will be, a very special place, where students can pursue their athletic and academic passions, without compromise. As KMS approaches its 50th year in existence, I am very enthusiastic about working together with the entire community to lead the school into a new period of growth.”

Kershko became the Search Committee’s selection after an exhaustive and thorough search process that included 32 inquiries, 25 completed applications, ten semifinalists, and three finalists, each of whom spent three days on campus meeting with faculty, staff, students, parents, and members of the Killington Ski Club and the Killington Resort.

Release courtesy of Killington Mountain School.