PROGRAM lEADERS
John Doan
With a BA in music from Haverford College, John first came to North Country School in 2000 to run the farm and garden program. Since 2004, he has taught music to students in all grade levels, and with Level III instructor certification in alpine and telemark skiing, he also directs the NCS ski program. He lives at nearby Sheepback Farm with his wife Libby. Their two children, Hannah (NCS 05) and Jacob (NCS 07), went to Utah for college but come home to the Adirondacks most summers.
Libby Doan
With a BA from Bryn Mawr College, Libby has 30 years experience in independent school teaching and administration. She came to North Country School in 2000, and before joining the admissions staff in 2011, taught sixth grade and served as the assistant head for academics. In 2015, she returned to the faculty as our Learning Specialist. In addition, Libby offers weekend activities, and supports the ski and snowboard program by teaching our alpine and telemark skiers – especially the beginners.
Mickey Hardt
Program leader Mickey Hardt taught science, math, and woodworking at North Country School from 2013-2017, and helped run the rock and ice climbing, snowboarding, and wilderness adventure programs. His technical experience includes summits of El Capitan (CA) and the Diamond on Long’s Peak (CO). He currently serves as the project based curriculum coordinator at Buckingham Browne and Nichols School in Cambridge, MA.
David Hochschartner
David (Hock) Hochschartner serves as the Executive Director of North Country School, Camp Treetops, and Round Lake Campus. He holds a BA in political science from Union College and an MA in private school leadership from Columbia University. In his 30+ years in education, he has taught math, science, and history and served at various schools as Dean of Students, Dean of Faculty, Assistant Head, and Director. Hock came to NCS as the science department chair in 1982. He taught and directed many programs at NCS from 1982-1993, and with his wife, Selden West, was an NCS houseparent for a decade. He was Director of Presidio Hill School in San Francisco for three years before returning to NCS as Head in 1999. Hock is a past commissioner of the New York State Association of Independent School's (NYSAIS) Accreditation Committee and is a past President of the Junior Boarding Schools Association (JBSA). He was a Visiting Fellow of the prestigious Klingenstein Center at Teachers College, Columbia University in 2003. Hock has two children, Jon (NCS 02) and Lucy (NCS 13). In his spare time Hock is an avid rock climber, skier, mountaineer, and lacrosse player.
Jessica Jeffrey
Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Jessica has lived in the Adirondacks for 10 years. Previously she worked as a backcountry caretaker for New York State, as well as a ski patroller at Whiteface Mountain. An RN, Jess earned her nursing degree at North Country Community College. Currently, she serves as school nurse at North Country School. Jess loves spending time with her husband Nate and young son Wyatt, as well as skiing, surfing, and anything woods related.
Elie Rabinowitz
Program leader Elie Rabinowitz teaches in the Edible Schoolyard, wood shop and Spanish language programs at North Country School. His previous experience includes teaching Spanish and ESL for grades 6-12, coaching middle and high school sports, and co-leading international and domestic backcountry trips for over 10 years. Elie has summited all 115 4000 ft peaks in the Northeast of the United States, and last year completed the 130 mile Northville Placid Trail with his wife Becca. He is a Leave No Trace Master Educator, a Wilderness First Responder, and a New York State Licensed Guide for camping and hiking. He holds a BA in Spanish Language and Psychology and an MA in Education.