On Thursday, May 15, students gathered at Frank House to celebrate the Spring Head of School holiday, called in honor of six retiring faculty & staff: Ms. Teal Atkinson, science lab technician; Ms. Ana Hermoso, instructor in Spanish; Mr. Chris Burchfield, instructor in English; Mrs. Caroline Kenny-Burchfield ’77, director of community partnerships; Ms. Robin Chandler ’87, communications project manager; and Mr. Dave VandeBogart, post office associate.
Ms. Ana Hermoso
When I arrived at Hotchkiss 34 years ago, I had no idea what I was getting into. I came with a deep appreciation for the culture and language I had grown up with and a passion for teaching it, but little did I know how profoundly this place would shape my life.
Hotchkiss has not just been somewhere I have taught; it has been where my life has happened. It is here that I met colleagues who have become lifelong friends, where I have grown into a professional and a mentor, and where I have found a community. It is here where I fell in love, raised a family, and built a life that has been full and rich and grounded in purpose. My personal life and my professional one are intertwined in the most beautiful way.
I am deeply grateful for the generations of students who have challenged me, surprised me, made me laugh, and taught me as I taught them. I have learned that humor, patience, and empathy go as far as any lesson plan. I have learned that teaching a language is about opening minds, building bridges, and expanding hearts.
I am incredibly honored to be part of this school’s legacy. To have played a small role in the journey of so many young people is something I do not take lightly. And while I’m stepping away from the classroom, I take with me a lifetime of memories: early morning classes and late-night dorm duties, trips abroad and conversations over meals, the rituals of the school year, and the unpredictable magic of daily life among teenagers.
As I close this chapter, I do so with a heart full. Life took me down a path I hadn’t planned, and I am so glad it did. Thank you to every student, colleague, and family member who has been a part of this journey. Teaching at Hotchkiss has been the joy and honor of my life.
Mr. Chris Burchfield
When the rhythm and blues band Sly and the Family Stone took their 1971 single, “It’s a Family Affair,” to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, they may well have been crooning about life at Hotchkiss for the Burchfield family.
When my wife Caroline accepted a position in the Admissions Office in 1986, little did we know the years would pass so swiftly and with such enduring influence. And when I was lucky to be hired four years later, after the birth of our first child, the family bond was sealed.
The Hotchkiss family we have been a part of thrives on the good will, humor, intellect, and loyalty of its students, faculty, and staff. We are forever thankful for and continually enriched by our relationships with decades of Bearcats, young and old. We take with us memories of babysitters, athletes, volunteers, advisees, colleagues, musicians, actors, scholars, medical professionals, and more.
And for this family, there was no better place to raise one. Our four children all count their years growing up on this campus as “the best childhood ever!” With an abundance of green grass, lakes, woods, athletic and arts facilities, a dining hall, plus older brothers and sisters, they couldn’t imagine growing up any other way.
Brimming with the energy of the student body, the constant ebb and flow of campus life, and our beautiful surroundings, the Burchfields leave Lakeville with full hearts. Thank you to the many members of the extensive Hotchkiss family who have brought joy, adventure, and love to our own. It truly has been a family affair!
Ms. Robin Chandler ’87
My journey at Hotchkiss began 57 years ago. Just days after I was born, my parents brought me home to a second-floor faculty apartment in Van Santvoord. From the start, Hotchkiss was my world.
Growing up on campus was magical. I was surrounded by older students who looked out for us. We “fac-brats” thought we ruled the school. These experiences planted the seed of a dream: to one day be a Hotchkiss student.
That dream became a reality in the fall of 1983. My report cards told a story of frustration, perseverance, and growth. But athletics gave me refuge. The laughter of teammates and support from coaches grounded me.
Those four years molded me profoundly. My academic struggles taught me self-advocacy. Sports instilled leadership and resilience. My teachers and coaches didn’t just instruct—they mentored.
After college, I dreamed of returning to become the kind of teacher and coach who had changed my life. That chance came in 1995, when I came back as assistant athletic director, Latin 150 teacher, and coach of three varsity sports.
From a curious six-year-old watching the first brave young women arrive, to a student following in their footsteps, to a faculty member shaping future generations—I feel nothing but gratitude. I’ve tried to contribute to a legacy of courage and empowerment to the women of Hotchkiss.
As I step into my next chapter, I carry with me Hotchkiss’ greatest lesson: you’ll face setbacks and heartbreak, but those are invitations to grow and move forward with grit. So, I take a deep breath, lean into uncertainty, and walk forward with hope. Thank you, Hotchkiss. I will forever be a grateful Bearcat and a very proud woman of Hotchkiss.
