John Dewey Academy Announces New Dean Of Students

We are pleased to welcome Eric Krawcyzk to the Castle as our new Dean of Students. Eric will join Ken Steiner, Head of School, and Andrea Esperat Lein, Dean of Academics, as a member of our Clinical and Administrative Team. Eric will work as a Primary Clinician, as well as supervising various aspects of student life in his role as Dean of Students.

Eric, who holds a B.S. from Cornell University in Natural Resources with an emphasis on Education, is a Licensed Professional Counselor with an M.A. from the University of Colorado at Denver in Counseling Psychology and Counselor Education. He is also licensed as a Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor and as a Professional Special Services Counselor for ages 0-21.

Eric has worked extensively as a school counselor, as well as providing a variety of integrated health services through his private practice in Gunnison, Colorado. He has extensive experience with therapeutic wilderness programs, having worked as a family therapist at Open Sky Wilderness Program in Durango, Colorado (2011-13) and in various capacities (Field Director, Supervisor, Guide) at the Trailhead Wilderness School in Georgetown, Colorado (2001-2003).

We are especially excited about Eric joining our team because we believe his particular skill set will strengthen our program by providing more experiential learning for our students. In particular, his outdoors and coaching experience will add a different dimension to our college preparatory, rigorous academic program.

With Eric's arrival as the new Dean of Students, Andrea will be able to transition more fully into her role as Dean of Academics. She has already begun weekly meetings with our teaching faculty to focus on matters of curriculum and instruction, on educating gifted/twice-exceptional students, and on assisting teachers in addressing individual students' needs. Andrea's background (in educational and school psychology, curriculum development, and the gifted) provides a unique resource for faculty, students, and parents at JDA.

Andrea is also leading the NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) re-accreditation at JDA this year. Although JDA has been continuously accredited by the NEASC for many years, with two prior re-accreditations, we are embracing this process as a beneficial examination of, and a fresh look at, our program, in order to facilitate the emergence of new and creative ideas. This self-study process will continue through April 2014.

As we have reported previously, John Dewey Academy continues to evolve, in order to provide the highest quality therapeutic boarding school experience for bright but alienated students. Even if you think you know JDA, we invite you to visit and see all of the exciting changes we are making at the Castle.

To schedule a visit, or to make further inquiries, contact Lisa Sinsheimer at lsinsheimer@jda.org .

Continuing In the Struggle Together,
Ken Steiner, Ph.D., Head of School
Andrea Esperat Lein, M.Ed., Dean of Academics
Lisa Sinsheimer, M.D., Parent Liaison and Intake Coordinator