Kingsley’s Head of School, Steve Farley, reflects on Fall 2025 and answers some questions from the community. 

Dear Families,

This semester has been a testament to the "small-town school in the heart of the city" spirit that makes Kingsley so special. From welcoming new families in the Exeter Community Space to watching our students engage with the vibrant resources of Boston, we have seen the power of partnership in action.

One of my greatest takeaways from these past few months—further inspired by my own recent studies of leadership performance at Brown University—is the reminder of the immense courage our students and teachers show each time they "begin again" on a new project or lesson. Whether it was the Fifth Graders navigating the subway for their Ocean School curriculum or our toddlers practicing the Practical Life skill of putting on their own coats, the progress our students make during the first half of the year is profound.

I wish you all a restful break filled with the same “wonder and curiosity” that our Early Childhood team identifies as the hallmark of that age. We’ll see you in January!

Take care,

Steve

What are your plans for Winter Break? 

I am planning to head to the Outer Cape where I’m looking forward to the simple, restorative rhythm of reading, long walks on those beautiful winter beaches, and connecting with family from near and far. 

On my reading list are...

• Nonfiction: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight; Superagency: What Could Possibly Go Right with Our AI Future by Reid Hoffman &, Greg Beato; and Abundance by Ezra Klein & Derek Thompson
• Fiction: Tilt by Emma Patee; Going Home: A Novel by Tom Lamott; and The Antidote by Karen Russell

Are you looking forward to any family traditions? 

Absolutely. We treasure our time for storytelling and connection, especially our tradition of spending Christmas Eve with my family and Christmas Day with my wife’s. We also have a ritual of rewatching beloved movies together—Elf, Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas, and White Christmas are always on the list. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the "seeds of imagination" that Maria Montessori so valued.

What is your favorite holiday treat? 

I’ll admit, I’m always looking for any excuse to add eggnog to just about anything! Also, eagerly anticipating the Christmas Day feast of crown roast of pork with cretons and cranberry sauce! [Editor's Note: Cretons is a traditional French-Canadian pork spread, similar to a pâté.]

What is one thing you are looking forward to when classes resume in January? 

I often think of January and February as the "golden hours" of the academic year. After the whirlwind of the fall and goal-setting conferences, we return to one of our longest sustained periods of uninterrupted work. It is during this quiet, industrious stretch that the "seeds" we sowed in September truly begin to take root.

I am particularly looking forward to watching our students move into the more complex phases of their curricula and witnessing the "flaming imagination" Maria Montessori spoke of as they apply their insights from the fall to new projects. There is a specific kind of academic magic that happens when students have the time to truly "hug the lion" of a difficult concept without the distraction of a holiday on the horizon. I can’t wait to see the profound growth that this long winter season of focus always brings. 

And, of course, seeing everyone back together! (Although I may miss the Cape beaches just a little bit!)

This has been the Kingsley Blog: Head of School Edition. Thanks for reading!