Coach JP Daigneault.

When did you start working at Northwood and how long have you been here?
September 2014 – 3 full seasons.

What different jobs have you done/classes have you taught?
Ski Program Director & head coach; Mountain Biking

Why did you decide to leave your Northwood job?
I didn’t so much decide to leave Northwood as much as I decided to take on a new challenge with Burke Mountain Academy in Vermont.

I’m happy for this question because answering it affords me the opportunity to say this:  It was not an easy decision.  On the one hand I was looking at a fresh challenge surrounded by people I’ve either worked with before, raced against in my own athletic career, or whom I’ve known for 10 or 20 years.  That’s a really nice situation to go into.

On the other hand, I was leaving colleagues and an admin team at Northwood that, not only allowed me, but played a huge role in helping me shape the ski program into what it became over the last three seasons.  I’m really proud of the work we all did to breathe new life into the ski program and the results our student-athletes achieved.  I would feel worse about leaving Northwood if we hadn’t accomplished all that we have.

As it is, whomever steps into my role at Northwood will inherit a really good team and an incredibly supportive admin team and structure.  I feel good about that.

Do you have a best story/fondest memory/funniest happening that you could tell?
When I first showed up in the Fall of 2014, I had been working in Australia for their entire ski season.  That means I arrived in Lake Placid late after the start of the School year but just in time for Northwood’s Mountain Day.  I got to know Don Mellor on that day as I was paired with him and a capable group of kids for the Trap Dike/Colden hike.  It was an amazing day.  I really loved it.  So much so that the same night, out at dinner with local friends (some of whom were Northwood alums), I said to everyone there “I can’t wait to see which mountain I get next week!”

Yes, I thought that this “Mountain Day” thing was a weekly event.  Why wouldn’t I?!?  It is such a cool day and there are so many mountains to hike!  Of course, everyone around the table just looked at each other with little smiles on their faces before laughing at me.  I was really disappointed when they told me that Northwood’s Mountain Day was only once a year.

Did you have a favorite year? Favorite part, class or team?
When I read this question, the thought that keeps coming to me is that for the three years that I was there, every year just ‘felt’ better than the year before.  It just seemed to me that the School kept improving and figuring out ways to bring out the best in everyone with each year.

What did your time here teach you?
My time at Northwood taught me that the bigger the organization or the bigger the goals the better you need to work with other people because you aren’t going to get there on your own; you can’t do everything.  I struggle mightily with asking for help and I still tend to go until I blow up.  Luckily, I worked with amazing people whom I learned to trust and they always came through for the ski team.  I was humbled.

What are your future plans? Where are you going?
I am headed to Burke Mountain Academy, the world’s pre-eminent ski-racing academy/high school, in East Burke, VT.  I will be head coach for all of the groups of men who are 16+ years old (FIS racing) and I will also personally own the coaching for a subset of that bigger group (those born in 2001).  I’m excited for the new challenge and really happy to relocate about one hour from where I grew up (just over the border from Jay Peak, VT) so I can see my family in Québec more regularly.  I’m not married and I don’t have kids so one of my greatest pleasures when I have time off is spending time with my parents, my siblings and their kids (nieces and nephew.)  I am pretty pumped about the Kingdom Trails network of mountain bike trails over there too!

Dear JP:

Coach JP adjusts Matthieu’s boot at a race.

You are a man of your words. You helped out many young athletes through your years as a ski coach. You have many stories and never ending jokes to entertain us.

Always finding the good in either a ski video or mistake, you have been there for me for the past two years and gave me many tricks in the ski world that you also used as a ski racer when you were my age.

We are all sad to see you leave this year and are worried about the hole that will be created in the Northwood community. We know you are moving on to do great things in the ski world. You will be missed JP and best of luck at your next job!

Sincerely,

Matthieu Cote

This article is part of a series of interviews of departing faculty conducted by The Mirror staff.

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When did you start working at Northwood and how long have you been here?

I started working here in July 2016 so… almost a year.

What different jobs have you done/ classes have you taught?

I have taught freshman English, helped to direct the writing center along with amazing students, helped with many rec sports, helped with admissions work and the Northwood open house. I’ve loved being a dorm parent in The House, and I am the 9th grade class dean.

Why did you decide to leave your Northwood job?

Very personal reasons. Mostly due to a lot of change in my life so it just felt like the right time. I am finally ready for a new exciting next step.

What are your future plans? Where are you going?

I’m going to be working at a day school in New York City, Herschel School, teaching 7th grade. I’m excited for a change, but it doesn’t come without a lot of mixed emotions. I’m really sorry and sad to be leaving, but I know it’s the right thing and time to start a new adventure.

Do you have a best story/fondest memory/funniest happening that you could tell?

One of my favorite memories happened this winter when we got the freshman class together and went ice skating on Mirror Lake. It was fun to watch the better skaters help the not-so-good ones learn to skate. It was an opportunity to organize something, get kids excited for it, and once we were out there, everyone had a great time. Then we went back to my apartment, had a hot chocolate. It was a really fun afternoon full of bonding, laughing and skating.

What did your time here teach you?

I think I’ve learned more about myself during this singular year at Northwood then I have at my last school, where I worked for 3 years. I’ve learned that I really love being in the classroom; it is probably when I am the happiest. I’ve learned that, like everyone, I have good and bad days and that’s okay. I’ve learned that I am a lot stronger and more independent than I thought I was before. I’ve learned that sometimes the hardest decision is still the right decision.

Dear Ms. Middleton:

This whole year has blown by so quickly. Even though I was never in one of your classes, you have still made a great impact on my everyday life at Northwood.

As a freshman, it was great to know that there was a teacher who was always looking out for me. No matter what I needed, from late-night boy drama to S’mores and sandwiches, you were always there for me. You always went the extra mile even when it did not seem like I appreciated it.

Over the course of the year, we have formed a unique bond that I’ve never had with a teacher. You and I have heard each other’s drama and issues and we helped each other through all of the tough times. I see you more as an older sister rather than another faculty member. My next three years at the school will not be the same without you and our emergency Starbucks runs. However, I wish you the best with anything you pursue in the future, and I greatly appreciate everything you have done for me this past year.

Thank you for making this school year as tolerable as possible.

​​Sincerely,

Lexi Hooper

This article is part of a series of interviews of departing faculty conducted by The Mirror staff.

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When did you start working at Northwood and how long have you been here for?
I began working at Northwood in the fall of 1983. I have taught at Northwood for 34 consecutive years and I am now teaching the children of some of my former students.

What different jobs have you done/ classes have you taught?
Due to the nature of boarding school life, I have had many roles at Northwood. I was hired immediately out of college as the Chair of the Language Department, and as a French teacher. I held both of those positions for the first 30 years. I also ran the girls’ dorm, directed the yearbook committee, advised the photography program, and organized the drama club for the first seven years. I taught an introduction to psychology course for 10 years. It was open to all ages and abilities and was a fun course to teach. I have worked extensively in the community service program and I have enjoyed educating my students about ways that they can give back to our community. I also served as the Academic Director for 25 years and have been working as the Associate Director of College Guidance and teaching junior level English for the past three years. I have spent much of my time with students in the outdoors; we have gone recreational skiing, hiking, camping in the High Peaks, and running on the trails around Cobble.

Why did you decide to leave your Northwood job?
My husband, Jeff Edwards, a former Northwood faculty member and administrator during his 26-year tenure, has accepted a promotion with an assignment transfer to Beijing, China. He is the General Manager of Operations for Ironman China working for Wanda Sports China. He moved to Beijing full time on May 1st. Jeff will be building and training a team that will develop the endurance sports market throughout China.

Do you have a best story/fondest memory/funniest happening that you could tell?
I remember one day during my first year of teaching. A senior faculty member asked me to go sit with a young boy and to see what was going on. We had a wonderful chat. He was happy, but he could not understand many of his teachers when they spoke in class. Their Boston accents were very strong and their words made no sense. He was exhausted by meal time and he preferred to sit alone with his thoughts. I sat with him for most of that first month, gradually inviting other students to join us. I spoke in both French and English, translating when necessary, easing him into a conversational comfort zone that would no longer include me. I am bilingual and I have taught for more than three decades. I still reach out to students and families the moment I recognize their French accents. I invite hesitant English speakers to join in the discussion by speaking in their native tongue. When Francophone parents see that I am here for their child and for their whole family, the transition to boarding school life is that much easier for all.

Did you have a favorite year? Favorite part, class or team?
The biggest highlight of the year for me is celebrating the college acceptances of the students I’ve worked with. I cherish the days and weeks when students pop into my classroom with bright smiles on their faces, bursting to tell me that they have been accepted to college! They have been waiting to tell me in person. We hug. We jump around. We feel silly and exuberant. We have grown close working together and the possibility of venturing off to a new academic experience is exhilarating!

What did your years here teach you?
Patience. Most things can be solved with a kind word, an open heart, and food. I try to be a good listener. I really enjoy the company of my students. I love to hear what they are doing, what they dream to achieve, and what makes them happy. I learn from my students as much as they learn from me.

What are your future plans? Where are you going?
I recently accepted a job offer at a school in Beijing, China. I will be the University Guidance Counselor at BCIS (Beijing City International School). I am sad to be leaving Northwood, but happy to be continuing to work with students in the university search process. I’m simply off on a new adventure, and my current Chinese students have assured me that they will visit me in Beijing, especially those who live nearby! I do not plan to say good bye to anyone at Northwood, but rather, see you soon!

Dear Mrs. Edwards:

Alec Herman ’18 and Mrs. Edwards in the living room.

I remember the first day of school, when I walked into your classroom shaking like a leaf because I was unsure of what to expect. Starting a new school and moving away from my family was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but you were one of the reasons that I was able to adjust to a new school so quickly with your welcoming smile and enthusiastic energy. You were always willing to talk to me, ask about my day, and see how I am feeling everyday.

I must admit, I despised English class before I met you, but you changed my perspective. Thanks to you, my vocabulary has broadened and the SAT prep sessions in class were really helpful to me. I loved coming in for extra help sessions to review my vocab cards; you would always help me by giving me funny sentences to help me remember the words.

I remember when we watched the “character, setting, plot” rap song. When you first presented that to our class, I was thinking that maybe you were going insane, but that was just part of your awesome and humorous character.

I was honored to be taught by someone amazing like you, and I wish you the best of luck in China. I know  you will inspire others the way you inspired me. Thank you for everything you’ve done for us, and we will miss you deeply.

Alec H.
Class of ‘18

This article is part of a series of interviews of departing faculty conducted by The Mirror staff.

Ms. Linda D’Arco, Dean of Faculty and Innovation + Design teacher.

When did you start working at Northwood and how long have you been here?
I’m nearing the end of my first year at Northwood. My 14th in teaching.

What different jobs have you done/ classes have you taught?
I’ve been the Dean of Faculty and Innovation + Design teacher

Why did you decide to leave your Northwood job?
I’m headed off to help my family set down roots here in the area and to start my own personal innovation project: an Adirondack flower farm, called Little Farmhouse Flowers in Jay, New York. I’ve loved working with Northwood students, and I hope to return someday once I’ve established my project.

Do you have a best story/fondest memory/funniest happening that you could tell?
My fondest memories of working with Northwood students always have to do with the experiences we share when we’re working with people from outside of school. I love seeing students make those connections to the outside world. This, year two Northwood alums played a special role in the Innovation + Design courses. Jeffrey Bernett brought his tremendous experience in design to our studio and convinced some of his colleagues from the Harvard Graduate School of Design to participate, too. Pam Scheideler worked with a student group to share information about designing apps and affecting social change through technology. There are so many wonderful “Ah Ha!” moments when students get to do this kind of first-hand learning.

Did you have a favorite year? Favorite part, class or team?
I don’t have a favorite class or team. I’ve really enjoyed working with all of my students. They seem to be able to let down their guard in the Innovation Studio a bit more. There is no prerequisite for the program- so the class has students from all grade levels. They work with each other and learn to appreciate their different skill sets and perspectives.

What did your time here teach you?
From Northwood and my experience as the Innovation + Design teacher, I’ve learned that there really are no barriers to striking out and building something new. That is an exciting theme for our school, for the course, and now for my personal life. In a way, I’m going to go and do some significant real world experience. Northwood faculty and staff have always been so helpful. I think they’ve made asking for help for the new farm a whole lot easier.

What are your future plans? Where are you going?
I’ll be leaving the school year and jumping right into the busiest season for farming. Actually- I’m already in the thick of it. There have been a lot of late nights recently as I work to get supplies in order and baby the seedlings that were started in the late winter. You’ll be able to find our flowers at the Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Keene Valley farmers’ markets. To learn more about our farm, visit: www.littlefarmhouseflowers.com. My husband, Brad, will stay on at Northwood as the Director of Admission.

Dear Mrs. D’Arco,

Maddie with Ms. D’Arco on Mountain Day 2017.

You  have brought light to our community over the past year as we seek innovative change in our school. Whether it be the design class or faculty peer feedback, Northwood has greatly benefited from your ideas in action.We can always count on you for your enthusiastic, “Hello, How are you?” Surrounded by constantly busy people who are sometimes less mindful, your endearing tone is sure to make a small daily impact on those who cross your path.

Your greatest contribution to the Northwood community is your ambition and drive to pursue your dreams. Your passion for flowers often keeps you working late into the night as you are the newest farmer of the Adirondacks. But by morning, you are more than a flower farmer; you are the dean of faculty, a teacher, and an advisor. Balancing your passions and having the courage to pursue farming inspires us all.

Mrs. D’Arco, thank you for your service to Northwood and the impact you have made in such a short time. We will miss you and wish you luck on your newest adventure!

Sincerely,
Maddie McCarthy