Compass Welcomes New Executive Director!

Compass School Welcomes New Executive Director

Entering its second decade, Compass School recently hired its first Executive Director to lead the school to the next level in its evolution. Compass is excited to welcome Nelson Richter to take on this new role. Mr. Richter brings a lifetime of wide ranging experiences in education, including roles of College Admissions Officer, Director of the Student Athlete Success Program at Northwest Missouri State University, Assistant Principal in a Public High School, and Director of several Alternative Schools and Programs for At-Risk Youth.

Having spent most of his professional career in Missouri, Nelson’s connection to New England comes from decades of summers in the region, with much of his time spent working with youth at Merrovista Camp in New Hampshire.

With such a strong educational foundation established at Compass, the school is looking to the Executive Director to focus on overall school management and external relations with admissions, development, and partnering with other educational organizations.

Nelson brings great enthusiasm for the well being of individual students and a balanced perspective to assuring every child is prepared for the complex demands of the 21st Century. Nelson also has long experience as a Head Football Coach, giving him great insight into working with staff and valuing the unique contributions of each individual to the greater whole.

Richter has been deeply impressed with his initial days at Compass. After the first couple days of schools, he wrote, "The first day of school in one word: WOW!!! I have never seen so much positive energy from a group of young people! I can't wait to see what happens tomorrow!"

The Executive Director role is a natural evolution for Compass, as Founding Director Dr. Rick Gordon observes, “We are thrilled with the energy and experience Nelson brings to the school. After devoting so much attention in our first decade to getting the educational program right, we really are ready to do more outreach to the larger community and to explore possibilities for being part of the transformation of middle and high schools in Vermont.”

Nelson takes this position with the unique situation of having both previous School Directors on his staff. Eric Rhomberg, the previous Director, is moving back into the classroom to follow his calling as a teacher. Rick Gordon, the school’s founding Director, continues his commitment to the school in a part-time capacity helping with long range planning and curricular planning.

Nelson, along with the two previous Directors, will be available to meet at an Open House for prospective students and their families scheduled for September 29th, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the school on Route 5 in Westminster. For more information, call the school at 463-2525 or visit the website at www.compass-school.org.