Landmark Stories

A LANDMARK LEGEND

According to author Malcolm Gladwell, in his 2008 book Outliers, it takes 10,000 hours of rigorous practice to achieve mastery of complex skills and concepts, such as playing the oboe or perfecting your golf swing. Let’s do the math. Fifty years of 180 eight-hour school days (though that’s likely an underestimate) mounts to a whopping 72,000 hours. So, what do you call a master 7.2 times over? Some might use the term guru, others maestro, or perhaps legend (and he surely is all of those combined). Karl, ever the punster, might quip: you’d call yourself out of breath.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

It all started in 1969, his sophomore year at the University of Maine, where Karl was recruited last minute by Dr. Charles Drake to work at a program called the Reading Research Institute at Bates College. After teaching that summer at the Institute and the next two summers in the program at Hebron Academy, Karl was hooked on teaching one-to-one tutorials and collaborating with Drake. So much so that, despite being a true-blue Mainer who emanates pride in his Owls Head roots and invokes the Pine Tree state on a regular basis, Karl became a Bay Stater.

After graduation, on Drake’s invitation, Karl moved to the North Shore along with a mix of former colleagues to help open and staff the school that would eventually become Landmark. In Beverly, things moved quickly. With future Head of School Bob Broudo as his roommate and Dr. Drake, Drake’s wife, children, and mother among his colleagues, Karl went immediately to work, literally gutting, painting, and renovating what is now the Alexander Building on the High School campus, establishing himself as a mainstay in the community.

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING

When his position teaching physical education on a concrete floor covered in linoleum tile finally took its toll on his knees and back, Karl went to Dr. Drake. He said, “Listen, is there anything else I can help with?” He mused somewhat wistfully and added,  “And here we are.” In 1985, Karl took over as public school liaison at both EMS and the former Beverly Farms campus (Expressive Language Program). Though it’s emotional and challenging—and there’s lots of paperwork—Karl loves the role, as it is first and foremost about relationship building, not just with Landmark parents but also with countless educators across the region. Karl’s transition into this role shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Looking back, his high school guidance counselor, Mr. Lunn, was a true inspiration. “He was the most warm, outgoing, helpful, and respectful person,” Karl fondly recalled.

THE MAN WHO DOES IT ALL

Butcher? Baker? Candlestick maker? In some ways, Karl has done it all. In fact, though he has worked for decades helping Landmark families navigate the educational system, students on campus recognize him for many other reasons. To some, he’s the guy with a full plate making students feel comfortable at the morning breakfast club, the teacher with a special mini basketball hoop mounted in his office, or the one who’s always trading wordplay with Mr. Kahn in an epic, years-long pun battle.

WHAT'S NEXT?

This summer, Karl will leave his position at Landmark in the competent hands of the crew he has trained to take on his duties. What will he do with his next 72,000 hours? It seems unlikely Karl will stop giving: to his family, his theater group, his basketball team, his plants, his woodpile. When asked for this article to name something he’d like people to know about him, Karl said, only; “I have appreciated all the support and friendship of colleagues over my time at Landmark.”   

Originally published in The Lantern Fall 2021/Spring 2022

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