Kingsbury Announces New Head of School, Tom Mecsey

Click here for Tom's letter to the community.

Below is the official announcement from Don Stephanic, Chair, Kingsbury Board of Trustees.

Dear Friends,

It is my pleasure to announce that Tom Mecsey has accepted the position as Kingsbury’s new Head of School beginning July 1, 2008.  We are excited to welcome his family to our Kingsbury family and wish him all the best in the coming years.  

Tom is currently teaching and serving as an athletic director at Cranbrook-Kingswood.  He is familiar with Kingsbury’s program and history and has quickly shown that he is a dedicated and enthusiastic proponent of Kingsbury already.  We are confident that he will make every effort to energetically carry us forward while respecting our traditions and accomplishments.  In a conversation with staff, his comments about his career included,  “ I love working with kids and working with families, so I am looking forward to joining the Kingsbury community.”  He also spoke very highly of the International Baccalaureate curriculum and endorsed its inquiry-based learning model.  Tom recently said, “I want everyone to know how excited I am for this opportunity.  I am already proud to be a part of Kingsbury and pleased to be able to work with the faculty and families there.  It is especially rewarding to be moving on to a place with such a great reputation.”  In addition, Tom noted the similarities between Cranbrook’s mission, values and educational experience and Kingsbury’s.  “Kingsbury is a wonderful place to establish roots. I was especially drawn to its community spirit and the wonderful foundation it gives its graduates.  Many of my children’s friends in high school were Kingsbury Kids.”

Tom currently serves as Athletic Director of the Middle School program and has also taught science, human development, physical education and computer applications at Cranbrook-Kingswood.  He has been honored many times by both C-K and the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (MIAAA).  Among his recognitions are the coveted Cranbrook President’s Award, C-K’s Excellence in Teaching Award, and the prestigious Miro Family Award, which annually recognizes faculty excellence.  The Metropolitan Detroit Science Teachers Association has also recognized him with their Excellence award.  Tom’s coaching programs are also extensive, overseeing 21 interscholastic and 26 intramural programs for the Middle School.   He is a Certified Master Athletic Administrator, which is the highest level attainable in the field and involves course work, publication, program implementation and a history of outstanding performance.  

In discussing his coaching honors and experiences, Tom shows his passion for the discipline and its applications to everything in life.  “Social skills, character development and leadership are the foundations of good coaching, good teaching and good people skills.  Coaching is an extension of the classroom to the field.” Tom was named Region XIV Coach of the Year by the MIAAA (the state association of athletic directors), and serves on its Executive Board of Directors. He also represents Michigan in the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.

Tom and his wife, Cindy have three children:  Katie, Laura and Bryan.  Katie and Laura have graduated college and are beginning promising careers in teaching and theatre, respectively.  Bryan is a junior at Indiana University studying business. Cindy is the Charge Nurse at Cranbrook–Kingswood, coordinating health programs for the Middle and Upper Schools, including the Boarding Program.  Cindy will remain at C-K for the coming year.  They will enjoy two homes as we welcome them to Higbie House late summer.  

We will be hosting a reception for Tom and his family next Thursday evening, April 24, at 7:00 p.m. in the Upper School Library.  Please plan to attend – he is anxious to meet everyone!

Best regards,

Don Stephanic, Chair, Kingsbury Board of Trustees