09/01/2023
Dear NEARI Parents and Guardians,

I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself as your new Executive Director.  The last two weeks have been spent immersed in the rich history of NEARI School and its founders Steve Bengis and Penny Cuninggim.  I have spent time with your teachers, behavioral interventionists, the brain based and clinical staff as well as the front office who all have affirmed for me that NEARI is truly a transformative school.  Our collective attention to cultivating students' capacity for self regulation, social pragmatic and educational skills through a trauma informed and relational approach is everything I believed NEARI to be.  I’ve been impressed with how deeply staff care for your children and how invested they are in providing each child with the space necessary to discover their own innately unique abilities.  

I’ve had the good fortune of spending time orienting with Dr. Craig Latham.  I can say confidently that NEARI has arrived at a much stronger place because of his leadership.  Dr. Latham’s legacy at NEARI, having shepherded the school through incredibly difficult times is a testament to the importance of the mission as well as his own integrity and compassion for our students and staff.  Although NEARI certainly will miss Craig, we wish him all the best and are grateful for the countless things we accomplished under his amazing leadership.  

My experiences in both the public and private school systems as well as extensive experience in mental health services will serve as a solid foundation as we transition the role of executive director.  Previously I was the Director of Residential Life and Interim Dean of Students at the Greenwood School in Putney Vermont.  The Greenwood School is a private boarding school for middle and high school boys with language based learning and/or executive functioning difficulties. Most recently I supervised an outpatient mental health clinic and school based program with Healthcare & Rehabilitation Services in Southeastern Vermont. Additionally I have a small private practice where I supervise clinical staff toward licensure, provide professional seminars for local organizations as well as individual and family psychotherapy services. I’m humbled and excited to begin a new year with NEARI.  

As you all get to know me, you may hear from time to time about my wife Jill, our two children Jack and Gavin as well as our two golden retrievers Betty and Wilma, or our 8 chickens who bring us unexpected joys everyday.  You may also experience my love for the culinary arts as I find cooking to be a great way to care for others.  I might also be caught getting my hands into some of our facilities projects (much like Craig).  But most importantly, I hope to get to know each of the students, hear their stories and witness their growth this year.  I was able to connect with a few of the students at the end of the summer term, and was even able to catch a rematch at Foosball.  It is the students themselves that I find to be the most rewarding part of this work.

I understand the tremendous amounts of time and efforts you as parents have spent supporting your child's education.  It may be that some of you are unsure how this transition will impact the school, having known Dr. Latham for many years.  So, I look forward to meeting and getting to know YOU as well.  NEARI will provide opportunities for us to connect throughout the year, such as the PAC Meetings coming up in Oct and May.  And I also welcome a conversation anytime, so please don't hesitate to reach out, stop by or send me an email.

Warmest regards, 

Matt Schibley MA LCMHC
Executive Director