About

School Leadership

Meet Head of School Mike Peller

Mike Peller became Head of School at Vermont Academy in July 2025, bringing more than 20 years of leadership in progressive, purpose-driven education. A champion of experiential and place-based learning, Mike has helped design and lead innovative school models rooted in purpose, engagement, and real-world impact.

His work blends curriculum expertise with advancement, admissions, and entrepreneurial school leadership. Before VA, Mike was the Founding Head of Upper School at Hillbrook School in California and previously served as Assistant Head at both The White Mountain School (NH) and The Nueva School (CA).

He holds degrees from Harvard and Teachers College, Columbia University, and is a frequent speaker on educational innovation. A lifelong boarding school educator, Mike grew up on a campus as the son of two career teachers. He now lives on campus with his family, where he enjoys exploring the land and playing on the fields with his wife and two children.

Long Walk Talks with Head of School Mike Peller

List of 2 items.

Convocation Address - September 1, 2025

Good morning, Vermont Academy. What a great day to be a Wildcat.

When I told Wendell, my 6 yr old, that we’d be moving to Vermont last January, she immediately replied with a question:
“Tomorrow?”
Every day thereafter, it was a similar question.
“Are we moving to Vermont today?”
She was immediately excited. Mira, my 9-yr old, took a little bit longer to warm up.
Since arriving on campus, our two children — Mira, who’s nine, and Wendell — have been exploring every corner of this campus: climbing trees, riding bikes, and with great anticipation asking me almost every day, “When will the students get here?”
It will be great, I told them.
I know this from having worked at boarding school and from having grown up on a boarding school campus quite similar to this, just like my wife did. I know what it feels like when students return — the walkways fill with conversations, friendships pick up right where they left off, and the campus comes alive.
When just over a week ago they asked: “When will the students get here?” I replied: “Soon.”

Well… you’re here.
And the place already feels different.
And better.
And it feels more like home.

I want to share a poem about the journey of arrival, titled :
The Trail is not a Trail, written by Gary Snyder.

I drove down the Freeway
And turned off at an exit
And went along a highway
Til it came to a sideroad
Drove up the sideroad
Til it turned to a dirt road
Full of bumps, and stopped.
Walked up a trail
But the trail got rough
And it faded away—
Out in the open,
Everywhere to go.

I love the last line – Out in the open, everywhere to go.

It was just over 150 years ago, when Wiliam Wilbur – out in the open, every to go – inspired a group of Baptist leaders to build a school - our school, Vermont Academy - here. On what was a gravel bed with nothing other than wild strawberries growing. But he saw something here. And he inspired others to see something too. Over 150 years ago, Jones dorm was built brick by brick. The clay for the bricks carried in on wagons powered by oxen, and the bricks themselves were fired right here on the spot in a kiln built specifically for creating the beautiful buildings that still line Long Walk. Consider how many students have slept in these buildings over the 150 years. Consider how many students have studied in these buildings. Have formed amazing friendships. Have laughed. Have cried. Imagine if these buildings had memories, could speak and share. The buildings would be able to reflect back so many successes. They would inspire you with stories of the past. And yet, these are your buildings now – while you are a student here to enjoy and when you are alumni to take care of and steward. As we begin this new chapter at Vermont Academy, I want us to be constantly reminded that we are part of something so much bigger than our own experience.

I start with this because place matters. Land matters. It is a teacher. A classroom. A place of refuge, restoration and recreation. May you all find a deep and enduring connection to this place.
While I felt an instant familiarity arriving here in July– the historic brick buildings, the green fields, the expansive trails– it is not the same without the most important part of school. You. the students.I feel even more at home now looking out at each of you, filling this beautiful theater. And I will do everything in my power to ensure each and every one of you feel right at home. So, welcome home. Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year. Welcome to Vermont.

Vermont Academy is more than a school. It’s a place where your days— in the classroom, in the dorms, on the field, on stage, and in the woods —will shape who you are and who you’ll become.
As our mission states: We are a nurturing home that inspires trailblazers to advance our world. Being a home for trailblazers, inspiring them – inspiring you – to advance the world… has always been — and will always be — the work that we do. Vermont graduates – Our alumni –shape the world as thinkers, creators, and changemakers.

From the very beginning, we built a culture of success and support. A place that meets each student where they are, inspiring you to be authors of your own education. From the very beginning, Vermont engaged in the work of transforming the lives of its students. Scientists, like Florence Sabin, Class of 1889, who broke gender barriers as the first woman elected to the National Academy of Science. Humanitarians, like Paul P. Harris, Class of 1888, founder of Rotary International, who launched a global service movement. And over time, we continue to let success beget success. Allowing the momentum to build, graduating
World-famous musicians, such as Joe Perry, Class of 1968, the lead guitarist of Aerosmith, whose music has entertained millions of fans. Authors, like Ethan Tapper, Class of 2004, who writes about the complexity of caring for wild spaces. Professional athletes, like NBA champion Bruce Brown, Class of 2016, whose discipline and teamwork have fueled his success on and off the court.
These are the members of Vermont Academy classes that came before you. These are examples of some of the ways in which they defined and carved out their journeys of success. What will your journey be? What will success look like for you? How will you engage in the Success Syndrome — the idea that success in one area builds momentum for success in another. Florence Sabin didn’t just succeed in science; her early achievements gave her the confidence and credibility to break barriers for women in her field.
NBA star Bruce Brown’s commitment to discipline and teamwork on the court translates into the way he approaches his life beyond basketball. Author Ethan Tapper’s curiosity about the environment turned into a lifelong mission to teach others how to care for the natural world. One success, no matter how small, can start a chain reaction that transforms you. Can you do that? And here’s the most important part: the Success Syndrome is just as real for a 9th grader here at Vermont as it is for an NBA champion or a rock legend. A great essay can lead to the confidence to join a club.
That club leadership might inspire you to run for student council.
That student council role might give you the skills to lead your own buisiness one day. That’s how momentum is built — one step at a time. Can you take that first step?

Our four pillars are your foundation: Ingenuity, Independence , Community , Land. This year, we’ll see these values in action — in the determination of our athletes, the discoveries in our classrooms, the magic of performances on stage, and the friendships that grow in the dorms. Every one of those moments can be the start of your Success Syndrome — will you make them count? But living our values matters beyond campus, too.
We live in a time of deep political, cultural, and environmental divides. Too often, people stop listening or make quick assumptions. The climate crisis threatens the future you will inherit. The work of your generation is not just to succeed personally — it is to succeed in making the world more habitable, humane, and united. That’s why the Success Syndrome matters. Every act of creativity, courage, and stewardship you practice here is not small — it’s training for the challenges out there. You’re not just building a résumé; you’re building the habits and the character to be peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of the land.
At Vermont, success means thriving here and using what you gain to advance our shared world.
The crises our state, country and world face are not separate from your journey — they are the arena in which your journey plays out.

At Vermont, I believe we will be successful in modeling what it might look like to care for oneself and find purpose in one’s life,
to live well in community, to live well on this land, and – dare I say – thrive. Together , we will make this campus and then this world more habitable and humane. As Vermont alum and author and forester Ethan Tapper wrote: “Someday, I will teach my children that this world is not ours to hold but that we hold it anyway, that each of us is a steward for one brief and precious moment in time. Someday, I will teach my children that, despite everything, we are destined to thrive — to live in a world that is beautiful.”
We get to call this beautiful part of the world – home. And we get to hold it. To steward it. To thrive in and amongst it.

So, this year, I ask you to:
Hold one another capable.
Be more curious than certain.
Take your first step — and let it lead to the next.

This year, as we prepare for our 150th anniversary, design a bold strategic plan, and imagine the future of our campus, remember this: every success you have here — no matter how small — is a spark. Nurture it. Build on it. Let it propel you to the next challenge, and the next. And let your success become part of our success.

And when you leave here — whether this is your first year or your last — you will find yourself, like in the poem, out in the open, everywhere to go. The trail will be yours to make, and you will have the courage, the skills, and the heart to walk it.

It’s a great day to be a Wildcat — let’s make it a great year.
Thank you.
Community Letter - August 17, 2025
Dear Vermont Academy Community,

It is a great year to be a Wildcat! Since accepting the position as Head of School last winter, I have been eagerly anticipating the start of this year. I love the myriad possibilities that mark the beginning of a new school year. It is a time when traditions are renewed, new friendships are started and rekindled, and new stories begin. This year feels especially meaningful as we embark on our Vermont Academy journey together. I look forward to all the “firsts” that will mark the start of this important new chapter—our first Convocation, a first game or performance, a first night in a new dorm or with new roommates, the first time returning to campus as an alum, the first time dropping off your child at orientation, or one of the countless unscripted moments that make this broader Vermont Academy community so remarkable.

For my family, this year is also a homecoming. After years in California, we are back in New England, close to where my wife and I grew up. Our two children, Mira (9) and Wendell (6), have been exploring the campus with curiosity and joy, already imagining what it will feel like when Long Walk and the fields are buzzing with student energy. My wife and I know that feeling well—we both grew up as children of boarding school teachers, and we remember the excitement of students returning, friendships rekindling, and a community springing to life.

As I step into this role, I want you to know the values that will guide me. I will lead with courage, making decisions that put students at the center and strengthen our school for the future. I will lead with authenticity, showing up as my real self—transparent, direct, and ready to listen. And I will lead with a sense of wonder, because school should be a place that sparks curiosity, joy, and possibility for all of us. These values aren’t abstract—they’re the lens through which I’ll approach our shared work and the way I hope we’ll treat one another.

Our senior leadership team is equally committed to leading with optimism, collaboration, and accountability as we focus on three guiding questions this year:
1. How do we re-engage every member of our community so they feel seen, valued, and connected?
2. How do we drive meaningful engagement—in classrooms, on teams, in dorms, on stage, and with our families and alumni?
3. How do we tell our stories in ways that capture the full spirit and impact of Vermont Academy?
What makes Vermont Academy so special is not just its history or its setting, but its people and its purpose. Our mission comes to life through four pillars:
- Ingenuity — the creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving that turn ideas into action in the classroom, on the trail, or on the stage.
- Independence — the journey of self-discovery that helps each student understand their strengths, navigate challenges, and grow into their fullest selves, as authors of their own education.
- Community — the collective strength we find in supporting one another, embracing diverse perspectives, and knowing we are part of something larger than ourselves.
- Land — the joy, health, and perspective that come from time outdoors, and the responsibility to care for and steward the natural world around us.
This year, we will live those values in countless ways—through purposeful learning in the classroom, shared commitment on the athletic fields, moving performances in the arts, and friendships that take root through shared experiences. These moments will shape how we see ourselves, how we understand others, and how we engage with the world for years to come.

We are also at an extraordinary moment in Vermont Academy’s story. Together, we will prepare to celebrate our 150th anniversary, design a bold new strategic plan, and imagine what’s possible for our campus through a master planning process. These efforts will lay the foundation for an ambitious comprehensive capital campaign that will help bring our shared vision to life. Students, families, faculty, alumni, and friends will each play an important role in this work.

My hope is that, years from now, we will look back on this year as an inflection point—one filled with pride, purpose, and joy. I am grateful to be joining this community at such a pivotal time, and I look forward to learning your stories, celebrating your successes, and working alongside you to shape Vermont Academy’s future.

It’s a great day to be a Wildcat—let’s make it a great year.

With excitement and gratitude,

Mike Peller
Head of School

Board ofTrustees

Officers

Jeremy Herbert '99 Chair	Linda Saarnijoki Secretary
Jayson Dunbar '86, P '07, '24 Vice-Chair	Mike Choukas '73, P '94 Treasurer

Members

Lisa Bianconi P '08, '08, '11, '11, '24	Jeannlis Sanchez '00
Jeff Jacobs P '24	Adam Tschorn '83
Mary Libutti P '21	Nick Vaughn
Phil Peck	Diane Wilder '79
Shawne Robinson P '21, '22, '25	Mike Peller, Ex-Officio

Alumni Association Representative
Sean Bersell '77
Parents' Association Representative
Mary Beth Adelson P '27
Trustee Emeriti
Hugh W. Pearson ’54

Administrative Team

List of 9 members.

Mike Peller

Head of School

Columbia University - MA
Harvard University - BA

Bio
Mike Peller began his tenure as Head of School at Vermont Academy on July 1, 2025, bringing more than two decades of leadership in purpose-driven education. A passionate advocate for experiential and place-based learning, Mike has helped shape several innovative school models rooted in purpose, engagement, and real-world impact.

Mike’s leadership blends deep expertise in curriculum design with significant experience in advancement, admissions, and institutional strategy. He has participated in successful capital campaigns, enrollment initiatives, and development efforts while also designing pioneering academic programs built on immersive, interdisciplinary, and competency-based learning. His approach is entrepreneurial, rooted in a belief that schools thrive when innovation is matched with mission clarity and community connection.

Before joining Vermont Academy, Mike served as the Founding Head of Upper School at Hillbrook School in California, where he launched a new high school emphasizing immersive learning, community partnerships, and student agency. Prior to that, he was Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning at The White Mountain School in New Hampshire, where he led academic redesigns, founded the Inquiry, Innovation, and Impact Lab, and guided the school’s transition to a competency-based learning model.

Earlier in his career, Mike spent five years at The Nueva School in California as Assistant Head of Upper School, where he helped grow the division from its founding cohort of 77 to more than 400 students. He has also served in site director roles with Global Online Academy and the Mastery Transcript Consortium and is a frequent speaker at national conferences on assessment, innovation, and human-centered learning.

Mike earned his B.A. in Environmental Engineering from Harvard University and his M.A. in Independent School Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University.

He lives on campus with his family and draws daily inspiration from Vermont Academy’s mission and landscape. A lifelong boarding school educator, Mike grew up on a boarding school campus as the child of two career teachers and school leaders. He is thrilled to raise his own children in a similar environment—where learning, community, and a love of the land are part of daily life.
Peter Ahlfeld

Director of the Center for Learning & Coordinator of the MAPS® Program / Math Faculty / 9th Grade Class Dean

University of Connecticut - MA
Clark University - BA

Bio
Peter Ahlfeld joined Vermont Academy as the Director of the Center for Learning in 2020. He came to VA from The Mountain School at Winhall where he most recently served as the Head of School. Peter has extensive experience working in education as well as serving students with learning differences. Previously, Peter was a Dean at The Long Trail School in Vermont and a math teacher and administrator at The Forman School in Connecticut.

He graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Masters's degree in Educational Psychology and he received a B.A. in Mathematics from Clark University. Peter has over thirty years of experience in school communities where he has been dedicated to creating positive learning communities.
Kevin Driscoll

Director of Advancement

Cambridge College - MEd
Saint Michael's College - BA

Bio
Kevin Driscoll joined Vermont Academy on August 1, 2025, following several years in higher ed advancement, working as a Major Gifts Officer in Tufts University Advancement assigned to the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston. Passionate about independent schools, with a special love for small boarding schools and their important place in the independent school realm, Kevin felt the call to return to boarding school work, and at the same time also makes a return to Vermont, a state he calls his true north and second home. A graduate of Saint Michael’s College in Colchester, Kevin is not unfamiliar with Vermont, having also spent childhood summer vacations in Saint Albans with family on the shores of Lake Champlain, he is thrilled to return to the Green Mountain State.

Kevin’s independent boarding school experience began soon after college graduation at Eagle HIll School in Hardwick, MA, where he served as the school’s Weekend Duty Master. He fell in love quickly with life on a small boarding school campus. He then moved on to join the faculty at Phillips Academy Andover, (his hometown), which was followed by stints as a Dean of Students at the Dublin School, NH, Director of Young Alumni and Giving at Governor’s Academy (MA), Director of Admission at Austin Prep, a Catholic independent day school outside of Boston, and then a return to a small boarding school, High Mowing School in Wilton, NH, America’s oldest Waldorf boarding school, before transitioning to higher ed work at Cambridge College and Tufts University.

Kevin brings significant experience in external relations, including advancement, admissions, and institutional strategy. He has participated in successful capital campaigns, enrollment initiatives, and development efforts while also designing rebrands for two of his previous schools and assisting in the development of strategic plans, campaign initiatives, and creating new innovative ways to connect with alumni, near and far. He is a collaborator, and visionary in his leadership, and also draws on his sense of humor, that lead to a brief but exciting career in stand up comedy in his years just after graduating from college.

Kevin brings to VA a much needed capital campaign background, having helped lead campaigns at Austin Preparatory School, where he helped with two campaigns, the larger of the two saw the transformation of the former vacant St Augustine Hall Monastery into a robust and life filled classroom, performance, visual and media arts center. At High Mowing School he worked alongside his colleagues in Development to help secure the former Frye Farm, to serve as a conservation area for the campus, and secure the magnificent views and peacefulness of the campus hilltop for generations to come. In his most recent work at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Kevin had a principal gift portfolio of 100 high level donors, and was involved in the successful completion of Tufts 1.5 billion dollar, Brighter World Campaign. Kevin was responsible for donor relations and major giving programs on the West Coast, Florida, and the Northern New England States. He was responsible for the creation of several endowed scholarships during his years at Tufts, and was also the primary connector to the Northeast Delta Dental Tufts Summer Interns Program which he helped develop at Tufts Dental to match dentists in northern New England with current students at Tufts Dental, where these students would spend 3-4 weeks in the summer observing dentistry operations. The goal was to introduce the possibility of living and serving in these rural northern New England regions after graduating as dentists.

Kevin earned his B.A. in American Studies at Saint Michael’s College and his M.Ed. in Multi-disciplinary School Leadership at Cambridge College.

Kevin has three adult daughters, Mackenzie, Grace, and Addison. He lives on campus in Wolcott House with his trusted canine companion Phoebe (he and his daughters are avid “Friends” aficionados), a rescue dog from Mississippi. He is excited to be back in the Green Mountain State and back on a boarding school campus. He is already engaging in meetings with alumni and friends of VA, and is excited to continue meeting constituents on campus and on the road to raise awareness and build support for this amazing school!
Adrian Diaz Guerrero '14

Dean of Student Life and Athletic Director / Post Graduates Class Dean / Head Coach, Boys' Varsity Soccer

(802) 869-6236

Saint Michael's College - MEd
Saint Michael’s College - BA

Bio
Adrian returned to his alma mater Vermont Academy in 2022 after working at Saint Michael’s College as an Admissions Counselor and Resident Director while pursuing a master’s degree in educational leadership.

Prior to Saint Michael’s, Adrian worked in Spain as an English teacher and at VA as Summer Program Director, International Programs Liaison, and Spanish teacher. Other stops along the way enabled him to leverage his marketing and communications experience while working for Hope Happens Here and the Vermont Brewers Association.

Adrian is thrilled to be at Vermont Academy in the role of Dean of Student Life and also loves being able to share his passion for soccer (having played in Spain, as well as at the DII collegiate level in the US) with our students. He is an active runner, loves the outdoors, and enjoys watching sports and hanging out with friends and family.
Nora Dock

Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management

802.869.6258

Drexel University - MS
Mills College - BA

Bio
Nora Dock joined the Vermont Academy Admissions team in 2021 after spending several years in international student recruitment and programming at an independent school in Austin, Texas. With a passion for fostering academic excellence and personal growth, Nora has been instrumental in shaping the school’s enrollment management plan with an eye towards sustainable, mission appropriate growth. Her background in international education and commitment to student success have found a perfect match in the Vermont Academy community values.

Outside of her professional role, Nora enjoys exploring Vermont’s natural beauty, knitting, and engaging in community outreach initiatives. Nora is the proud parent to three Vermont Academy Wildcats: Amalia '22, Cole '24, and YeHoon '28. Her husband Sean Allen is on the math and art faculty at Vermont Academy. Nora and her family live off campus with their elderly dogs (Petunia and Gerturde) and their even more elderly cats (Louisa and Charlie).
Ben Gardner

Director of Vermont Academy Mount Snow

(802) 365-8267

University of Colorado Denver - MA
Colorado College - BA
Greg Martin

Director of Strategic Initiatives / Humanities Faculty

Drexel University - PhD
Western Connecticut State University - MA
Wheaton College - BA

Bio
Dr. Greg Martin became Vermont Academy’s Humanities Department Chair after a nine-year career at Perkiomen School, where he served as the Upper School Dean and History Department Chair. Before Perkiomen, Greg held positions at Porter-Gaud School, the Frederick Gunn School, and Rumsey Hall School. Greg has also taught History and Educational Policy at the college level at Western Connecticut State University and Mount Holyoke College.

Greg grew up in Stone Harbor, New Jersey, and attended the Peddie School, playing football and lacrosse. Greg graduated from Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, with a BA in Political Science. He then earned his MA in European History from Western Connecticut State University and his Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy from Drexel University.

Greg continues to research, write, and present on staffing models in American boarding schools. His work has been featured in the National Association of Independent Schools magazine. Greg is a regular presenter at the annual The Association of Boarding Schools Conference. Greg has also been a guest on the Enrollment Management Association's podcast several times and has contributed to The Trustees Letter on two occasions. Greg serves on the advisory board for the Independent School MA program at Mount Holyoke College.

Greg lives with his wife Glynis, who is an editor, and their two dogs, Bugg and Molly. He and Glynis enjoy travel, spending time in Charleston, South Carolina, watching British TV, and gardening. Greg and Glynis have three grown boys, all of whom are boarding school graduates.
Lorna Schilling

Academic Dean

(802) 869-6649

Tufts University - BA

Bio
Mrs. Lorna Schilling is the Academic Dean at Vermont Academy. She is on the Curriculum Committee, a member of the Cum Laude Society, recipient of the Brodine Teaching Award, and has been selected for Who’s Who Among America’s High School Teachers. Mrs. Schilling was first employed by Vermont Academy in 1981 and fulfilled a number of roles on campus. Under Head of School Bob Long, she became the first ESL teacher and international student advisor at Vermont Academy. Over time, she became a full-time English instructor and department chair.

Mrs. Schilling enjoys working with young people. Her other interests are theater, history, and other cultures. An avid reader, some of Mrs. Schilling’s favorite books are The Secret Garden, The Lathe of Heaven, and Pride and Prejudice. Her favorite quote is “What’s the worst thing that can happen?”

Mrs. Schilling was a dorm parent for ten years with her husband, former longtime Vermont Academy faculty member Falko Schilling. Together they produced The Saxtons River Playhouse for eighteen years. They now reside in Saxtons River village. They are parents of Vermont Academy alumni Falko Erich ’03, Nilsen '05, and Brian ’11.
Butch Schuck '94

CFO / COO

(802) 869-6218

University of New Hampshire - MBA
Keene State College - BA

Bio
Vermont Academy was thrilled to welcome back Vincent “Butch” Schuck in the summer of 2024 in the role of CFO/COO. A member of the Class of 1994 and the fourth of his siblings to attend VA, Butch grew up on campus and began his professional journey here, working in residential life after college.

Butch holds a B.A. in history from Keene State College and an MBA from the University of New Hampshire. His diverse experience includes serving in the Marine Corps, working as COO of an insurance company, and most recently leading Holy Trinity School in Laconia, NH as Head of School.

Returning to VA, Butch is eager to bring fresh perspectives and collaborate with the talented staff. His focus is on building upon the school’s strategic plan and discovering new opportunities to ensure every member of the VA community succeeds. Butch lives on campus in Roux Cottage with his wife Stephanie, son Andrew ’28, and their dog Brick.