The Riverdale Community Pays Tribute to Dr. Kelley Nicholson-Flynn
As Dr. Kelley Nicholson-Flynn, affectionately known on campus as “KNF,” prepares to move on from Riverdale after eleven years of dedication as both Head of Upper School and Assistant Head of School for Operations, her fellow teachers and administrators are eager to celebrate her impact and legacy as an educator, leader, and beloved colleague.
During her time as the Head of Upper School from 2012 to 2020, Dr. Nicholson- Flynn supported the growth of multiple pro- grams while also serving as a trusted mentor to faculty and prioritizing the needs of students. Mr. Milton Sipp, Assistant Head of Upper School for School Life and Head of Middle School, emphasized that KNF’s focus on the “belonging” in DEIB and on creating a community where everyone is seen and heard has had a “profound impact” on Riverdale. Dr. Elizabeth Pillsbury, History teacher and Director of Experiential Education, noted that KNF is “uniquely good at recognizing people’s passions and interests and helping support them as they grow and become better at what they want to do.”
The leadership KNF displayed as Head of Upper School was matched by heartfelt devotion to students. Mrs. Cat Crocker, College Financial Aid Coordinator, Math teacher, and member of the Learning Research Team, fondly remembers driving with KNF around New York City during the worst days of the pandemic to visit students in the Class of 2020 and take pictures with them, calling it a “special” and “unforgettable” experience. Similarly, Mr. Sipp described the memorable musical tributes KNF created for the senior class each year as a true “labor of love.” And early in her tenure, KNF spearheaded “the creation of gender inclusive spaces, especially bathrooms and rooming on school trips” according to Mrs. Crocker. She described this initiative as a “critical part of the growth of our school and our DEIB work.”
Because of her love for students, KNF, who holds a PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology, has also continued to teach. She calls teaching “the best part of every day.” Mr. Sipp considers her “a phenomenal educator—one of the most dedicated, talented, brilliant educators I’ve ever come into contact with.” Dr. Pillsbury noted KNF’s desire to help every student become “the best version of themselves.” Several colleagues expressed admiration for KNF’s popular Bioethics course, calling it a model of interdisciplinary learning.
When Dr. Nicholson-Flynn transitioned into the role of Assistant Head of School for Operations in 2020 just as the Covid-19 pandemic began, she led Riverdale through a challenge for which “there was no playbook,” according to Mr. Sipp. He and others, including Jake Crowley-Delman, Director of Outdoor Education, credit KNF’s invaluable leadership for how smoothly Riverdale navigated the Covid crisis. “The way she steered us through Covid was pretty remarkable,” said Mr. Crowley-Delman. KNF modestly insists that she was simply “in the right place at the right time” to help. She takes greater pride in her other recent contributions, which include improving institutional systems and policies, creating a risk management program, and introducing an innovative leadership development program. Mrs. Crocker considers it “incredibly important” that KNF “built an environment where we grow leaders and care about leadership.”
To all of her roles at Riverdale, KNF has brought a combination of purpose, excellence, and warmth. Her colleagues described her as a highly organized and knowledgeable problem-solver who runs efficient and purposeful meetings. Mrs. Crocker added that KNF is a very good listener who is skilled at offering constructive feedback and “really understands how to build somebody up.” But KNF’s care and camaraderie have left an even greater impression than her expert leadership. Her colleagues emphasized that she is thoughtful, empathetic, compassionate, and sensitive to other people’s needs. Mr. Sipp described KNF as “an amazing human being on so many different levels” who “deeply cares and deeply loves fearlessly.” He added that “everyone has a story about a moment where they needed guidance and KNF helped them navigate some pretty turbulent waters.” Mr. Sipp himself has “relied on her heavily” during challenging times and will miss the confidence she always brings that “things will be OK.”
“KNF is legendary,” Mr. Sipp concluded. “She should feel very proud because she’s leaving Riverdale better than when she came here. She’s leaving a lot of our programs in better places, our systems, the way we think about education. It’s an incredible legacy and an example that people will continue to build upon and refer to in the years to come,” he said.
Mrs. Crocker echoed her fellow colleagues when she predicted that KNF would be “incredibly successful” in her new role as Head of School at Princeton Day School. Dr. Pillsbury knows that KNF will relish the challenges ahead and hopes that she “finds a community that will love her as much as we love her here.” English teacher Ms. Julie Fischer agreed. She summed up the feelings of the entire Riverdale community when she said, with tears in her eyes, “I love KNF. She is my hero, she really is. She’s my hero.”
