Kate had spent her early years at Scottsville-Caledonia-Mumford, and her parents, seeing that Kate could use more of a challenge, suggested they visit both Harley and Allendale Columbia. Her Allendale Columbia visit was fine, but what she remembers most about her visit day at Harley was that it happened to fall on May Day! That day, she not only got to experience one of Harley’s greatest traditions, but she met two of her best friends. When her student host, Ashley Stone Klein ’01, ran late, another Ashley—Ashley Rice Weiss ’01—stepped in. Realizing Kate didn’t have the right clothes for May Day festivities, the girls quickly put together an appropriate outfit for their visitor. That small act of kindness stuck with her and she believes it was one of the warmest welcomes possible.
Right from the start, Harley felt different from her other school. “Harley was so cozy! There were carpets on the floors, backpacks everywhere, and everyone was genuinely excited to have a new person in class.” Her advisor and French teacher, Amy Colosimo P ’23, ’23 (French, 1999-present), was new to Harley too, and their shared sense of discovery helped them connect. She also remembers Dan Hildebrand P ’99, ‘02’s kindness as Head of Upper School, 1995-2004, and credits math teacher Edna Deutsch P ’89, ’92 (Math, 1978-2004, Alumni Office, 2004-05) with “making me not hate math.” Morning Meetings, homemade cookies in Beckerman, and the close-knit atmosphere made Harley feel like home.
Sports were another anchor for Kate. “Soccer was the perfect way to get to know people,” she says. She quickly bonded with her teammates. The yearbook club was another highlight—she never thought working late on a Friday night at school could be so much fun! A great mix of friends from different grades, pulling together photos and coordinating pages for this book that would represent the school year. She also immersed herself in other Harley’s traditions—Elf Day, Candlelight, Pageant, and of course, senior year’s Scottish Exchange.
Kate always knew she wanted to work with young children, so she often spent study halls and free periods helping out in the Lower School with reading time or as a helper in the classroom. That early exposure helped confirm her path toward education.
Academically, the transition from public school to Harley was an adjustment. “It was definitely challenging, and I wish I’d had more of a launching pad at Harley. Thankfully the teachers were always helpful.” After Harley, Kate attended Susquehanna University, earning her degree in Elementary Education. While she felt well-prepared in many ways, she recognizes how much more prepared she might have been writing papers, doing research, and managing time, if she’d had more than two years at Harley.
Her Harley experience, and the independent school experiences she’s had since, have stuck with her. “Independent schools build community in a way that’s so intentional,” she explains. “Teachers plan differently, think differently. It’s a whole mindset.” Throughout her career, she’s drawn on that foundation. After teaching Kindergarten, Second Grade, and Lower School STEAM at independent schools in Washington, DC, and Upstate New York, Kate joined Berkshire Country Day School in 2020 as Director of Academics. Today, as Associate Head of School for Academics and Student Life, she brings Harley’s spirit of connection and creativity into everything she does.
She’s even hoping to borrow some of those Harley traditions to add to Berkshire Country Day. “I’m hoping to start a May Day celebration at Berkshire Country Day this year!” she says. She’s also leaned on Harley connections for advice—Amanda Patterson, Associate Director of Enrollment, 2016-present, for instance, helped her navigate the logistics of expanding the preschool calendar to 11 months. She also recently connected with Seth O’Bryan P ’32, ’34 (Math and Upper School Dean of Students, Commons, 2010-2023, Interim Head of Middle School, 2023-present), on the National Association of Independent School’s (NAIS) chat group about issues regarding middle school life.
That sense of belonging that first drew her to Harley still guides her today—she gained more than an education; she continues to draw on those experiences and connections to inform her work and build community at an independent school.
