Dean of Student Life & Wellness Jessica Matzkin did what she often does when it comes to an all-school meeting on the day of the Pelican Games. She is part of Team Purple, so a purple Pelican shirt, a purple wig, and a purple tutu were all part of her getup. 

Little did she know that she would be getting up to accept a prestigious award from The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS). Not that she wouldn’t have worn that outfit. That is the spirit she brings to her job and to Loomis Chaffee, and that is in part why she won the award.   

The Burch Ford Kaleidoscope Award recognizes three professionals nationwide who have exemplified commitment, creativity, and excellence in the area of student and residential life. About 250 boarding schools are members of TABS. 

Susan Baldridge, the executive director of TABS, presented the award to Jess on Friday, October 6, reading from a recommendation letter: “Jess is invested in the well-being of students throughout their years at Loomis Chaffee. She is always thinking about the short- and long-term impacts on student health and well-being, their happiness and joy, and our ability to keep students safe. 

“She is devoted to bringing joy to campus, showing up — I kid you not — to school meetings, in ridiculous but spirted attire for Pelican Games,” Ms. Baldrige read, adding “apparently that is accurate." And she continued, “She is a leader who empowers others to become leaders themselves and acts as a role model for all faculty on campus.” 

Students cheered loudly with some searching her out after the meeting ended to congratulate her. 

Ms. Baldridge also talked about witnessing Jess’ work first-hand. Last spring, 24 hours before a residential life leadership program was to take place, one of the presenters came down with COVID.  

“I made a phone call to Jess, who got on a plane, studied up at night in the hotel, and the next day not only filled in but expanded what we were going to do, enlivened it, and was a critical piece of the success of that program,” the executive director said. 

The Burch Ford Kaleidoscope Award is named in honor of the late Mary Burch Ford, who served as the first full-time counselor at Groton School, the dean of students at Milton Academy, and the head of Miss Porter’s School for 15 years. 

Jess worked with the award’s namesake at Miss Porter’s. 

“She was an incredible mentor, and what was really cool is that she was also a social worker, and I started at Miss Porter’s as a school counselor, so I had her as a great female role model,” Jess said. “I stayed in counseling for many years and kept getting pulled into student life, and it has been an amazing journey and education. It feels like a full-circle moment to be gifted something that she is honored for. It is really cool.” 

The actual award is a beautifully crafted kaleidoscope. The TABS website notes that “a kaleidoscope is a fitting symbol of [Mary Burch Ford’s] graceful ability to combine her practicality, courage and renowned availability with her creativity, playfulness and conviction of what is right.”