The transition into the role of Head of School is no small feat, but Mrs. Kosoff has handled her change into LCDS gracefully and successfully. I sat down with Mrs. Kosoff to learn more about her journey and progression into the LCDS community.
Growing up in Central Pennsylvania, Mrs. Kosoff was familiar with competing against LCDS in field hockey, basketball, tennis, and softball during her own high school years.
“When this job opened, I knew what a positive impact an independent school like LCDS had on my life and how it had shaped me into the person I am today,” Mrs. Kosoff said. “That’s what intrigued me about this job and school community.”
Before arriving at LCDS, she worked in independent schools in various capacities since graduating from college. The bulk of her career was spent as the Dean of Faculty and Assistant Head of School at the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey, where she built up extensive experience in private school leadership.
Since her arrival, she has focused on immersing herself into LCDS. For her, the favorite part about her role here has been, “getting to know a new community.”
During the interview process last spring, she was struck by the “admirable and unique affinity” that everyone – from alumni from 40 years ago to current students – has for the school.
Apart from her professional duties, Mrs. Kosoff said that she has thoroughly enjoyed exploring Lancaster with her family. She has spent her free time exploring the Susquehanna River Trail by bike and foot, enjoying Friday nights by trying out new restaurants, and spending Saturday mornings at Lancaster Central Market.
She has adapted to the LCDS community by immersing herself into the daily rhythms of LCDS, including things as simple as seeing the little ones in the morning during Lower School carline duty. She explained that seeing the youngest students coming to school in the morning, along with Middle and Upper School students alike, demonstrates the concept of LCDS being “one school under one roof.”
To Mrs. Kosoff, this concept is perhaps best embodied by one of her favorite LCDS traditions: the first day of school parade. She saw great power in the image of Kindergarteners and Seniors leading the parade hand-in-hand to kick-off the school year, and she hopes to continue to cultivate that relationship and unity within the school.
Whether it’s the winter assembly, Halloween Festival, or Color Wars, Mrs. Kosoff says that she continues to be impressed by, “the way in which students come out and create an experience for the community.”
Mrs. Kosoff talked a lot about the student body’s constant striving to better the school.
“I think part of what is notable about LCDS is that students have great ideas,” she said. “It may not be that we can realize all of those ideas, but being in conversation with them and trying to make some of them a reality is a fun part of this job.”
Her priorities this year with students are centered around, “the power of an idea.”
This focus was established early when she hosted a Student Government kick-off meeting at her house over the summer to get introduced with students and start off the year with collaboration and creativity in mind.
“I want to offer things that are relevant to your experience,” she said. “Whether that is your immediate experience at LCDS or helping you take a step into your next journey.”
Throughout our interview, Mrs. Kosoff was constantly brimming with new ideas and ways to positively develop the school. She takes feedback and suggestions with humility and openness, and it’s clear that she truly wants students to feel that their opinions are valued.
Mrs. Kosoff describes the work of leading the school as both challenging and joyful, characterized by a mix of scheduled responsibilities and the unpredictable nature of school life. She explained that knowing what the day will bring, while also not knowing what it might bring, is an equally enjoyable experience for her.
She was very insistent: “It is my privilege and honor to be able to lead the LCDS community at this point in time.”
