Teachers, Coaches, & Staff

Meet Kathy, a Strong, ME native and Sugarloaf Mountain skier. She earned her political science and history undergraduate degree from the University of Maine at Farmington, where she developed a passion for teaching and coaching. Kathy completed her Master's in education while living in Seattle and returned to Maine to complete her internship at Penquis Valley High School, where she continued teaching history and advising the Key Club.

Kathy has diverse teaching and coaching experience, having worked at Gould Academy and in public schools with 4th and 5th grades. She also spent the past 2.5 years as a program manager for MaineHealth, focusing on public health initiatives.

Kathy traveled the country with her husband during his Coast Guard service and settled in her hometown of Strong in 2021, where they built a house together, affectionately known as “the house that YouTube built.”

Kathy enjoys spending time with her large family, including her siblings, nieces, nephews, husband, and two daughters, Gabby and Maggie. In her spare time, she loves writing, skiing, knitting, sewing, and mountain biking. She recently checked off a bucket list item by riding the Kingdom Trails in Vermont, where she hand cycles on adaptive trails. Fun fact: Kathy also keeps bees!

Shelley has taught Chemistry and Earth Science at CVA since 2000. She is also the Director of Student Planning. A graduate of Hamilton College, Shelley went on to earn a Master’s in Geochemistry-Petrology from the University of Idaho in 1999. She is a native Mainer who loves skiing and has been competing in Adventure Racing since 2010.

As Director of CVA’s Academic Success Program (ASP), Kristin will bring her educational expertise and passion for supporting individual students to help all students find success in their classes. Prior to coming to CVA Kristin earned a BA in English Teaching from UNH and worked in the Special Education Department in the Yarmouth School Department as a Level III Ed Tech. She has experience analyzing IEPs and will work directly with classroom teachers to address different learning styles. Kristin also teaches English and The Fundamentals of Study course.

Christine Newell holds a BA in Mathematics with minors in Education and Social Studies from the University of New England, Biddeford, Maine. She has more than 30 years of experience in education. Chris is also active in her community, volunteering for academic programs, sporting events, and the Girl Scouts of Maine.

Haley graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington with a BA in Psychology. After college, she made her way north and found herself in Carrabassett Valley where the people make it feel like home. In 2016, Haley started her educational journey at Stratton School and began working toward her Maine teaching certificate. With eight years of experience, Haley strives to help her students with the complexities of life and offer a kind ear. 

Jessie grew up in Maine and skiing at Sugarloaf. She received her BS in Mathematics from Simmons College in Boston and went on to receive her Masters Degree from James Cook University in Australia. For 13 years she lived and worked in Australia in the field of marine research, specifically ichthyology with a specialty in tropical reef fish ecology and shark fisheries. She enjoys SCUBA diving, fishing and skiing.

After graduating from CVA, Courtney took her freestyle talents and determination to the US Freestyle Ski Team where she represented the US on the World Cup Tour until 1998. She then went on to earn a BA in History from the University of Colorado Boulder. Courtney continued her education receiving a Secondary Education Certificate from Black Hills State University and a Masters in American History from the University Of South Dakota where she is currently a Doctor of Education Candidate in Curriculum And Instruction. Between 2005 and 2018 Courtney taught at Stevens High School in Rapid City, SD. She has experience teaching Government, Economics, Sociology, and English. She served as Economics club advisor, Social Studies Department Head, AP certified instructor & exam administrator, and Debate coach. 

Jeni attended Stratton Mountain School in Vermont for 4 years of high school​, and then competed in the Division 1 NCAA college circuit. She earned a BS in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from Western Colorado University.  She then turned to alpine ski coaching and has been developing her skills for over 30 years. Along with her CVA years, Jeni has coached in three different USSS divisions, working at prestigious top-level academies and programs in the ​West. Most recently, Jeni was coaching at Rowmark Ski Academy in Utah.

Jeni’s mission is to inspire athletes to compete with purpose​ ​and ​to push them to develop the mindset needed for ski racing. Holding athletic development in the forefront, she is keen to identify the competitor’s natural strengths. Through this,  she teaches the technical and tactical skills that achieve results.

Jeni is a US Ski & Snowboard Level 200 Coach and Alpine Official. She is certified in CPR/First Aid and is a licensed Wilderness First Responder and USCG Captain. She also owns and directs an ocean​-based business called Ocean Explorers Maine. 

Jesse has been a coach at CVA since 2005. He is a certified level 200 U.S. Ski & Snowboard Freestyle coach who has coached park and pipe and is now instrumental in CVA’s Mogul program. In the off-season, Jesse works as a hunting guide, and enjoys outdoor activities. He lives in New Sharon, Maine with his wife and son, Osten Duncan ’22.

Kirk Dwyer joined CVA in the spring of 2021. Previously Kirk served as the Executive Director and Alpine Program Director at Ski and Snowboard Club Vail from 2016-2021. While overseeing alpine, snowboard, freestyle and Nordic he continued to coach alpine athletes on the hill. Kirk served as Headmaster at Burke Mountain Academy from 2000-2016. While at BMA Kirk also was president of Burke Mountain Ski Area from 2000-2005, BMA Head J3, U16 and Women’s FIS coach, chairman of the Eastern Alpine Competition Committee, vice-president of VARA, chair of the Eastern Region Development and Youth Committees, and chair of the National Development Committee. Prior to Burke, he worked at the Green Mountain Valley School for 25 years where he served as Assistant Headmaster, Head Women’s Coach, Head Men’s Coach, and Head Alpine Coach as well as an English and Humanities teacher. Kirk was USSA Domestic Coach of the Year in 1989 and is a level 500 certified coach. Kirk and his wife, Robin, live locally.

Charlie grew up in Portland, Maine, and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire, where he played baseball and tennis and contributed to the Exercise Science research team. He went on to complete a Master’s in Motor Learning & Motor Control at Columbia University in New York City, working as a research assistant in a neuroscience lab helping children with Cerebral Palsy improve motor function.

Charlie is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Certified Personal Trainer (CPT). Since 2020, he has trained athletes, older adults, and the general population. He is dedicated to advancing human movement, regularly pursuing continuing education to refine his training model, and thrives on supporting athletes in reaching their performance goals while growing as individuals.

In the gym, Charlie often experiments with new exercises to enhance his own physical function, having been born with Cerebral Palsy himself. Outside of training, he enjoys hiking in the White Mountains, playing tennis, and reading. A lifelong skier in Maine and New Hampshire, Charlie is excited to get back on the slopes.

Mazie attended Killington Mountain School for ski cross, graduating in 2018. She graduated from the University of Vermont in 2023 with a B.A. in Health and Society and a Minor in Sociology and Psychology. Mazie is a Vermont native and grew up skiing, biking, and rock climbing at a competitive level. During her ski cross career, she won USASA nationals multiple times, podiumed at Junior Worlds, and had a few top 15 World Cup finishes. Now, she competes internationally in downhill mountain biking. She was able to rediscover her love for ski cross through coaching privately in recent years, and is thrilled to take the next step with CVA!

Coach Kyle Hildebrand brings a lifelong devotion to ski racing and athlete development to his new role as Alpine Youth Program Director. With a strong commitment to both performance and individual growth, he strives to unlock skiers' athletic potential while fostering a lasting connection to the sport.

A product of the Sugarbush/GMVS weekend program and a 1996 graduate of Green Mountain Valley School, Kyle extended his competitive career with two post-graduate years before attending Bates College, where he was a four-year member and captain of the ski team.

At Bates, Kyle distinguished himself as one of the program’s most successful alpine skiers. A three-time NCAA All-American, he earned two career victories and two runner-up finishes, including second place in slalom at the NCAA Championships as a sophomore. In 2001–02, he served as team captain and qualified for his fourth NCAA Championship, finishing 11th in slalom. His collegiate career culminated with the Dr. Lloyd Lux Award, recognizing his outstanding contribution, dedication, and leadership in athletics.

Building on a standout college skiing career, Kyle has carried his competitive spirit into coaching, where he continues to shape and inspire the next generation. He has worked with athletes through ELITEAM, coached Olympic lifting at CrossFit Stamford (2012–2020), and served as a coach at US Elite Camps in Copper Mountain (2022, 2023). At Windham Mountain Club Racing, he led as Co-Head U14 Coach (2021–2022, 2023) and U12 Coach (2020–2021), helping guide young athletes through crucial stages of their development. Most recently, Kyle contributed part-time to the U16 program at CVA during the 2024/25 season. Kyle brings formal qualifications as a USSA Level 200 Certified Coach and USSA Referee.

With a steadfast belief in continuous growth, Kyle is excited to guide the next generation of alpine skiers at Sugarloaf. He aims to build momentum within the program by creating a fun and challenging team culture that helps athletes progress on and off the snow. He values “clear expectations and open, consistent communication with athletes, families, and fellow coaches,” and sees Sugarloaf as the perfect training ground: “one of the premier race venues and ski areas in the country.” Above all, he says, “Skiing is a lifelong sport, and my goal is to help develop passionate athletes who not only strive to compete, but also cultivate a true love for skiing.”

His experience and values closely align with the mission of Carrabassett Valley Academy. Kyle is no stranger to the Sugarloaf and CVA community–his wife, Megan (Friend), is a CVA alumna who also came up through the weekend program, and their two sons currently attend the Academy. When he's not on the mountain, he can often be found on the water or a motorcycle, and often sharing a laugh with lifelong friends.

Throughout his competitive snowboard career at CVA, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club and Sierra Nevada College, Freddy established himself as a dominant SBX racer earning Junior Worlds nods and a World Cup Start. Freddy is a well-rounded rider who won multiple USCSA titles in multiple snowboard disciplines while attending Sierra Nevada College in Tahoe. He served for three seasons as the Head Snowboard Coach at his alma mater before joining the CVA coaching staff in 2019. Freddy graduated from CVA in the Class of 2012.

Leyte was born and raised in the Green Mountains of Vermont. She grew up in a ski-racing family so she spent more time at the mountain than almost anywhere else. She raced for the Bromley Outing Club from the age of 5 to 19.

After playing NCAA soccer at college, she returned to the mountains to fulfill her passion for ski coaching and stay connected with the industry she loves. Her most recent position was at Mount Mansfield Academy which followed stints at Ski and Snowboard Club Vail and the Bromley Outing Club. She has been a camp coach during summers and Thanksgiving breaks for Sports Club International at Whistler, Vail, and Copper. Leyte’s ski experience includes technical skills, video analysis, and admissions. Leyte is committed to helping athletes develop their potential while maintaining joy for skiing. She is a Level 100 Coach and Level 1 Referee.

A former high-level racer, after graduating from CVA himself, Travis went on to ski for Colby Sawyer College. Upon completing his degree in Sports Management he remained at CSC as a coach from 2010-2017. During his tenure there, he was vital to the success of the program as it competed at the highest level of collegiate racing. He has worked with athletes at the Nor-AM and NCAA Championship levels.

Mark is a CVA alumnus, who graduated in 2012. Coming to CVA opened Mark's eyes to his natural admiration for freeride skiing, as well as the many career paths skiing has to offer. His competition years involved NorAms, Free Flow Tour, Revolution Tours, and the Junior Olympics. Following graduation from CVA, Mark moved to Summit County, Colorado, where he experienced many local successes. Rail Jam victories and filming opportunities have allowed him to expand his free ride knowledge and experience in this ever-growing sport. His connections in the industry have led him to coach the Team Summit program. A handful of the athletes at the program had victories in the 2022 Nationals in Slopestyle, Halfpipe, and Rail Jam. He offers an approach of coaching that has disciplined roots and knowledge of the sport from its early days with a strong understanding of the sport today and where it is going. Serving as CVA’s Freeski Head Coach is an absolute honor. Mark is proud to join the good company of previous coaches Keegan Kilbride, Ted Porter, Jake Payson, Noah Labow, Robby Sullivan, Jesse Duncan, and Nate McKenzie.

Jonathan started snowboarding in 1987. During a time when the local ski hill did not allow snowboarding, he made his way to Sugarloaf. Jonathan is no stranger to CVA. By 1992, while attending Kents Hill School, he trained and traveled with the CVA Weekend Program as a student-athlete, and was competing at various events in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Jonathan attended National Championships for both USASA and US Ski and Snowboard during his competitive years.

As an undergraduate, Jonathan wrote and taught the curriculum for the UMF Ski Industries Program. He then moved on to coaching at CVA for four years at multiple levels including the Head Freestyle coach. Jonathan left CVA to explore other roles in the ski industry while being employed at Sugarloaf for over twenty years. His roles at Sugarloaf Mountain included Parks and Pipe Manager, Rental Shop Assistant Manager, Burton Retail Shop Manager, and Ride On Shop Manager. During his time as a Sugarloaf employee, Jonathan continued his relationship with CVA in various roles in support of the Snowboard Weekend Program. 

Jonathan's vast and diverse knowledge and experience of the snowboarding industry spans decades. He holds a level 100 USASA coaching credential and a level 200 U.S. Ski & Snowboard credential.

Jonathan lives in Kingfield with his wife Selina and his two boys Lorenzo and Rocco. If they are not snowboarding, you can find them on the mountain bike trails or skateboarding at the AGC or in their backyard.

Tristy earned her Bachelor's degree from Plymouth State University in Athletic Training and Fitness and Rehabilitation with a minor in Health. She holds a Master's degree in Holistic Health Studies from Georgian Court University and has several years of teaching experience. She is a certified and licensed Athletic Trainer with more than 24 years of experience including serving as Head Athletic Trainer at a NCAA Division II University. She is an American Red Cross and Stop the Bleed instructor and a NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) gatekeeper and suicide prevention trainer. Tristy is Youth Mental Health First Aid certified and Teen Mental Health First Aid Instructor certified. She has completed a BOC CAM study on Mental Health in Athletes and received an "Assisting Individuals in Crisis" certificate from the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc. Tristy joined CVA in 2013 and lives on campus with her husband and two children. She enjoys outdoor activities and family time.

After graduating with a BBA in Business Economics from the University of Loyola in Baltimore, Steve taught English abroad at the Assumption University in Thailand. After extensive travel throughout Asia, he returned home to the US and joined the accounting department at Fidelity Investments in Boston. He spent a number of years working in investment management at Fidelity, Lord Abbett, and State Street in various quality assurance roles. Most recently, Steve has worked extensively throughout the Yarmouth school system including a full-time position in the Special Education department.  He has two children in CVA programs – Conor ‘28 and Quinn WP.

Dave has owned and operated his own business for more than 20 years and is experienced in project management and the repair and maintenance of various heavy and light equipment, shop systems, and vehicles. He has remodeled two complete houses and has a strong working knowledge of carpentry, plumbing, and heating and electrical systems.

Dave and his wife, Gina, are the parents of four Big Dogs: Molly '20, Mia '25, Ali '26, and Frankie '30.

Sam leverages her creative and analytical skill sets to support the CVA community as Assistant Director of Enrollment and Marketing. After graduating from Wake Forest University with a B.A. in Computer Science and Spanish, Sam joined the Peace Corps, where she collaborated with Costa Rican educators and the Ministry of Education. A thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail brought her to the valley, where she became a dedicated Sugarloaf staff member and youth instructor. Sam can be spotted alpine skiing in the winter and waterskiing in the summer.

Dave has many years of experience in multiple cabinet and fine woodworking shops in southern Maine. Additionally, he's managed and performed maintenance on both residential and educational properties. Dave's additional skills in working with youths and young adults as a teacher and life skills coach are also a benefit to the CVA community. Dave’s oldest son Kai '23 is a CVA graduate and his younger two, Berk '25 and Graem '27, are both at the Academy now.

Janis has been in the CVA business office since June 2018.

Jeanne is a seasoned marketing and public relations professional with over 30 years of experience. She holds an MBA from Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts. Her career includes five years in the Marketing & Planning department of a prominent healthcare system in Boston before she moved to Maine in 1999. In 2000, Jeanne founded her own marketing consulting agency, focusing on strategic marketing communications for local healthcare and tourism clients. She joined the CVA staff in 2022. Jeanne lives in Kingfield, Maine, with her daughter Celia '27, a Freestyle student-athlete at CVA, and their two rescue dogs, Daisy and Bailey.