Photo: Mr. Chris Kimmel ’08, MMI’s Incoming Head of School

The Board of Directors of MMI Preparatory School has appointed Mr. Chris Kimmel ’08, of Freeland, as the School’s next Head of School, effective July 1, 2027. Mr. Kimmel will become only the 14th Head of School in MMI’s nearly 150-year history. Beginning January 4, 2027, Mr. Kimmel will work alongside current Head of School Mrs. Theresa Long, who is set to retire on June 30, 2027, after serving as MMI’s Head of School for five years.

As Mrs. Long notes, this overlap will help ensure a smooth shift in leadership: “I am delighted that Mr. Kimmel will join us this January. Working side by side for six months will let us make the Head of School transition thoughtful and seamless for our students, families, and faculty. It means a great deal to know that when I retire, MMI will be in such capable and caring hands. Chris has the experience, the energy, and the heart for this School, and I look forward to working with him.”

With experience spanning multiple states and school districts, Mr. Kimmel is a proven educational leader. His ability to engage with and motivate others, his strong interpersonal communication skills, and his deep commitment to MMI stood out to the Board. His appointment is the culmination of a comprehensive national search conducted by the Board’s Search Committee, comprised of Board Chair Tyler J. Breznitsky, Esq., ’09, Mrs. Anne Frey, Mr. Jeff Mason, Dr. Jennifer Moisey, and Mr. John Schwear. Prior to making its final recommendation to the Board, the Committee provided various members of the MMI community with an opportunity to meet and interview Mr. Kimmel. The feedback the Committee received from those conversations was invaluable in helping guide the Board’s final decision.

“After a comprehensive national search and many conversations with our faculty, parents, and students, the Board is confident that Mr. Chris Kimmel is the right leader for MMI’s next chapter,” noted Tyler J. Breznitsky, Esq., ’09, Chair of the Board of Directors. “He brings a proven record of educational leadership, and as an MMI graduate, he already understands and loves this School. Chris is also woven into the fabric of the Freeland community, and he has spent years giving back to the town that shaped him. We are proud to welcome him and his family home.” 

After graduating from MMI in 2008, Mr. Kimmel earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Kutztown University in 2012. He began his teaching career at Spessard L. Holland Elementary School in Bartow, FL, where he taught fifth grade mathematics. He returned to the area and accumulated a broad range of educational experience through his positions as an elementary school teacher at Behavioral Health Associates in Lehighton, PA, and as a third-grade reading and language arts teacher in the Palmerton Area School District.

A firm believer in the value of education, Mr. Kimmel earned his Master of Science in Educational Leadership (K-12 Certification) from Wilkes University in 2020. From 2021 through 2024, he served as the K-12 Assistant Principal in the Weatherly Area School District before becoming Elementary Principal in 2024. Throughout his time in the Weatherly Area School District, Mr. Kimmel served as the District Title IX Coordinator and the Safety and Security Coordinator. 

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mr. Kimmel has a long and distinguished history of community involvement throughout the Freeland area. His service has included the Freeland Borough Sons of Erin, Freeland Borough Council, the Freeland YMCA Board of Directors, the MMI Academic Committee of the Board of Directors, and the Greater Wyoming Valley YMCA Board.

Mr. Kimmel, his wife Shelby, and his two daughters Gracie (age 5) and Lainey (age 2) will reside at the Head of School’s Home on Ridge Street in Freeland. 

“It is an honor to return to the School that helped lay the foundation for my career. I am grateful to the Board and the Search Committee for their trust, and to Mrs. Long for her leadership and her generosity in guiding me through this transition,” Mr. Kimmel said. “I look forward to listening, learning, and getting to know the current students, faculty, and families who make MMI special. My wife, Shelby, and our daughters, Gracie and Lainey, are excited to make our home on campus and reconnect with the MMI family.”