kirk swanson in his office

Tried and True: Kirk Swanson

By Hazel Crowley

It all started in 1981, with a litter of golden retriever puppies and a unique job offer. Recent Ithaca College grad Kirk Swanson returns home to the North Shore, intent on finding work as a gym teacher or coach. A D3 basketball forward with work experience as a camp counselor, Kirk hopes to put his physical education degree to use but feels discouraged by his daily scan through the Boston Globe classifieds. He can’t find the right job. Lucky for Kirk, his mother has an idea. The premise: she’ll call a friend, local dog breeder Charley Harris (also assistant headmaster at Landmark), claiming interest in his newest litter. The setup: if Harris gives Kirk a job, the family will buy a puppy. The punchline: days later, Kirk shows up in a suit for his interview, only to arrive…on the wrong campus.

 

Starting at Landmark

Kirk landed the job. He spent the next two years teaching physical education (P.E.) and coaching flag football and floor hockey in the linoleum-tiled gym (now, the Performing Arts Center) at Landmark South (today the High School campus). In 1983, he was promoted to P.E. department head at Landmark North (now the Elementary•Middle School). His organization, leadership, and energy were noted by incoming EMS head, Rob Kahn, and two years later, Kirk accepted a position on the leadership team. 

40 Years of History

From the vantage point of 2023, in which email correspondence, social media engagement, and video surveillance technology (from the devices in our pockets!) influence experience at EMS, it’s nearly impossible to delineate all the changes Kirk has witnessed in his nearly 40-year tenure. But sitting down with him to reminisce, it’s fun to try! In his office (once a porch), he rattles off various spatial reconfigurations (wait, people used to live in the faculty workspace?), explains the difficult, somewhat convoluted process of supervising residents from afar (hint: many pay phones were involved), and recounts myriad stories about the events compiled in the Duty Book (nickname: “my bible”). Of years past, Kirk reflects: “I’m proud of the work we did and the communication we had. I’ve worked with many fantastic teachers and just learned so much.” 

Getting to Know Kirk

I’ve known Kirk a fraction of the time other colleagues have and, for most, I’ve interacted with him in his leadership role. I’ve felt the weighty echo as students murmur about a classmate being “sent to the principal’s office” (their words). I’ve received one (OK, more) Sharpie-inscribed note, in his distinctive caps lock penmanship, reprimanding me for leaving lights on in my tutorial space. I’ve heard the one about lunch being “on the house” but not “on the floor” and could probably recite verbatim his trademark end-of-day intercom broadcast exhorting us to get that homework done and help out around the house. But, as EMS Head Claire Sullivan points out, “Kirk is someone you think you know in one capacity, but then, you get to see this really caring, thoughtful, wonderful person who loves a good joke, story, or fun day surrounded by people.” 

We are all so, so lucky. Though his presence (and mustache!) looms large, Kirk is someone students across generations remember with fondness, whether because he made them feel safe or helped guide them to best access what EMS has to offer. Even in harder moments, Kirk approaches all situations fairly and treats every student with kindness. He arrives earlier and stays later than anyone to ensure our shared space is not only functional but welcoming. He truly does hope we have a wonderful evening with our families, as he does with his wife, Brette, whom he met, married, raised two daughters and, yes, many golden retrievers with, all while at Landmark.

According to Assistant Dean of Students Tara Joly-Lowdermilk, “Kirk is one of the most thoughtful and loyal people I know. He is deeply committed to making sure every part of EMS is cared for. His dedication to the Landmark community is invaluable and inspiring.” 

Throughout his career, amid the ever-changing landscape of students, faculty, and culture, Kirk’s devotion to the Landmark community has remained constant, his commitment tried and true.

Article originally published in The Lantern Fall 2022/Winter 2023.

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