It is with tremendous gratitude that Valley View School bids farewell to Dr. Tom Nowak, who is entering into well-deserved retirement after 37 years of service. Tom came to Valley View School in a consulting psychologist role in 1988, where he worked with numerous students and families before he was appointed Executive Director in 2017. As a thoughtful and tireless leader, Tom worked closely with Valley View's leadership to prepare for his transition. He served as Admissions Director for the past 3 years while simultaneously providing supervision to the clinical team and serving as a trusted advisor to his successor, Rick May.
"Tom will be profoundly missed as a consistent and steady presence at Valley View School," stated William Carroll, Esq., Chairman of Valley View's Board of Directors. "His work ethic, sensitivity to the needs of complex families, and devotion to high-quality clinical care have made an indelible impact on hundreds of clients, families, and staff members. The board and leadership at VVS cannot thank Tom enough for all he's done, and we all wish him well in his retirement."
As Dr. Nowak departs, Valley View School is excited to announce the addition of two key members to its leadership team: Matt Sullivan has been appointed as Admissions Coordinator, and Kaitlynn Bishop has been promoted to Director of Residential Life.
Matt Sullivan joins Valley View with over a decade of experience supporting at-risk youth through education and residential programming. A native of Sausalito, California, Matt earned his bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Colorado. His professional journey includes tutoring at Boulder's Dreamcatcher Direct Instruction Center and teaching at both Denver and Boulder Justice High Schoolsprograms serving high-risk youth populations.
Matt went on to serve in various leadership roles at AIM House, a transitional living program for young adults. In his Admissions Coordinator role at Valley View, he enjoys connecting with families and referring professionals as they navigate the oftentimes challenging transition into a therapeutic boarding school. An avid reader, runner, golfer, and sports enthusiast, Matt stays busy enjoying the outdoor beauty of Colorado with his wife and 3-year-old son, Beau.
Kaitlynn Bishop has been an integral part of Valley View School for nearly a decade, bringing deep institutional knowledge and passion to her recently appointed role as Director of Residential Life. Her journey at Valley View began while earning her Psychology degree at Worcester State University. While still a college student, Kaitlynn started working in the school's kitchen, then quickly moved into roles in the residential life department, eventually taking on supervisory and clinical responsibilities.
Kaitlynn's leadership is grounded in a genuine commitment to student growth and well-being. Her ability to connect with students, combined with her hands-on experience and genuine compassion and curiosity, makes her a powerful asset to the school's residential program. Outside of work, Kaitlynn enjoys outdoor adventures, snowboarding, and spending time with her family at music festivals, and chasing after her 2-year-old son, Jax.
"We are thrilled to have Matt and Kaitlynn stepping into these leadership roles," said Rick May, Executive Director of Valley View School. "Their passion, experience, and dedication to the students make them perfectly suited for our community, and we are excited to see how their energy and ideas will positively impact how students, families, and referral partners experience Valley View School."
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About Valley View School:
Valley View School is a small, private therapeutic boarding school serving pre-teen and early teen boys in grades 6-10. Our campus is situated on 215 acres of forests and rolling hills in central Massachusetts, just 65 miles outside of Boston. For 55 years, Valley View School has helped boys become the best version of themselves. For more information, contact Admissions at 508-867-6505 or admissionsvalleyviewschool.org.