“When I returned from winter vacation after my first trimester, I knew that this was my new home.” – A Conversation with KC Hill (Student 1970-1973)
Hi KC! How did you experience your time at the Ecole?
It was a time of tremendous growth! It was so different from public school in Washington, DC in 1970 — it blew my mind. When I returned from winter vacation after my first trimester, I knew that this was my new home.
What path did you take after leaving the Ecole?
A gap year to learn French in French-speaking Switzerland, then Vassar College in New York State, where I met my life partner Kathleen Hennessy and earned my Bachelor of Science in Ecology-Conservation.
How has your career evolved over time?
I started with chimney sweeping as a summer job before my last year of college. That ended up being an 8-year phase of my working life. I was self-employed ("The Artful Dusters"), which gave me a lot of freedom and enabled me to continue to do Luethi-Peterson Camps in the summers. Eventually, I went back to university to become a science teacher. 20 years after leaving the Ecole as a student, I returned as a teacher. Kathleen and I (with our sons Rowan and Quin) were Ecole teachers, family heads, and directors for 18 years. We then moved to Meiringen, and I worked as a teacher in the Swiss public schools there.
What makes the Ecole special to you?
The community, the small classes, the personal relationships, the hikes, the singing, Putzpause…
What is the best piece of advice you would like to give our current students?
Jump in! Take advantage of what the Ecole offers that is different from what you already know.
