In his twenty-six years at Riverdale, Mr. Kent Kildahl has undoubtedly become a legend. Notably, he heavily influenced the creation of Constructing America, which he taught for almost twenty years. He also greatly aided in the revision of Integrated Liberal Studies. Besides academics, he has “always wanted [Riverdale] to be a place where a wide variety of kids can feel comfortable: a place where it is cool to be smart, and it is okay to be different.” His vision for a supportive school environment is a testament to his dedication to the Riverdale community.

Before he goes, Mr. Kildahl wants to give one last lesson: “It is never a sign of weakness or anything negative to be kind to each other. Remember that the things we say, the looks we give, the overt and the covert messages that we send can be helpful and affirming or damaging and harmful. I think it always pays to be kind.” That’s Mr. Kildahl for you, always teaching, even when he is saying goodbye.

We will miss him, that’s for sure. But we are also so grateful for the spark he has given the Riverdale community. So, here’s to Mr. Kildahl, who taught us all that school is more than just books and tests; it is about learning to be compassionate and thoughtful human beings.

Riverdale Review: “Can you tell me a little bit about your life before Riverdale?”

Kent Kildahl: “I went to Scarsdale high school, went to college in Minnesota, then went to graduate school at Oxford University. Then, I came back and started a PhD in English at Yale. After two years in the PhD program, I realized I did not want to spend another six or seven years writing a dissertation. I realized I really belonged here: being in a place where I could teach but coach as well, where I could wear many hats. So I went to Washington D.C., and I taught for five years at an all-boys school called St. Albans. Then, my wife, who is a college professor, got a job at Williams College teaching economics, so I moved to an all-girls boarding school in Pittsfield, Massachusetts and taught and was the assistant headmaster there for nine years. Then, we went to Zambia and spent four years there, and from Zambia, I came here. This is my fourth school; it’s 44 years of being with teenagers in a high school, and I’ve loved every minute (or almost every minute).”

RR: “What is something that you want to continue to happen at Riverdale when you are gone?”

KK: “Well, I think how AI will figure in people’s education is an unknown that I certainly worry about. We live on this little island in the East Coast that is very different from the rest of the country, and I wish there were more ways for us to understand who Americans are. We see through one lens here that is very different from what you would see if you lived in Kansas or South Dakota or Texas. The only way we can begin to pull this place together is if we understand how we are different from other communities in this country.”