Kyle Steele

Head of School

History & Art Appreciation
VDA Teacher since 2007

Tell me a little about your personal and educational background.

I grew up in rural Michigan. As a child, I moved around a bit and tried lots of different schools: homeschools, private schools, public schools, and boarding schools. I like the perspective this has given me on different modes of education. In college, I studied political theory, which comes in handy in strange ways running a school. I was on my way to graduate school at Boston College before taking a job at VDA.

When and why did you decide to become a teacher?

I was getting ready for graduate school and reflecting on why I wanted to be a professor. I realized I wasn't excited about publish-or-perish research, and all I really wanted to do was teach. When I saw an advertisement for a receptionist job at this school I had admired for years, I put my graduate plans on hold and came to work for a year. I've never looked back. I’ve always been someone who love puzzles, games, and riddles. Teaching children is like a puzzle I can have fun solving forever.

If you specialize in a particular subject area, why did you choose that specialty?

I teach art appreciation and math. I want students to realize there is more in this world to value than flashy, shiny things and fleeting, momentary pleasures. I want them to discover what humans are capable of and what they find meaning in. Art appreciation accomplishes that. Secondarily, but also important, I like the mental discipline and logic that art appreciation and math require. I like subjects where students can only be successful if they are completely focused.

What brought you to VanDamme Academy?

I was attracted to VanDamme Academy by Miss VanDamme’s articles. I actually got teary-eyed when I read her article “The Hierarchy of Knowledge: The Most Neglected Issue in Education.” I wished so badly that I could have had that education.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I most enjoy playing with my son, Isaac, in my free time and showing him new things. I enjoy camping—rustic camping without electricity and other amenities, but I also like to be lazy when I camp, so I don’t do intensive backpacking. I also cook a lot and really enjoy learning about new ingredients. Finally, I play a game called Warhammer 40,000 where I paint little plastic sci-fi army men and fight against other painted armies.

Do you have any favorite stories about your teaching experience?

Recently, I taught a painting Diogenes by John William Waterhouse, which showed the Greek philosopher Diogenes being mocked and excluded by his fellow Athenians. It led to a fascinating discussion about what it’s like to be an outsider and how an outsider can have valid criticisms of a system. One student, who often feels out of step with his peers, shared with me just how much he related to Diogenes and how it gave him a feeling of self-respect even though he doesn’t always fit in easily.