Teachers, Coaches and Staff

Leila Hauser graduated from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington with a BA in Classical Studies-Greek and Spanish, while running on Whitman's Cross Country team. Following graduation, she moved to Sun Valley, Idaho, where she completed a fellowship through the Teacher Training Academy at Sun Valley Community School. She is currently pursuing a Masters of English from Middlebury College's Bread Loaf School of English.
Leila enjoys trail running, sailing, backpacking, and adventuring on skis with her husky, Sitka. 

Indiana Jones is not only a CVA Math teacher, she’s also the Sugarloaf Golf Club Pro. She recently placed 8th overall in the State of Maine Championship, playing against the top pros and amateurs in the state, finishing with her best 36 hole finish in the past three years.

Shelley has taught Chemistry and Earth Science at CVA since 2000. She is also the Director of Student Planning. A graduate of Hamilton College, Shelley went on to earn a Master’s in Geochemistry-Petrology from the University of Idaho in 1999. She is a native Mainer who loves skiing and has been competing in Adventure Racing since 2010.

As Director of CVA’s Academic Success Program (ASP), Kristin will bring her educational expertise and passion for supporting individual students to help all students find success in their classes. Prior to coming to CVA Kristin earned a BA in English Teaching from UNH and worked in the Special Education Department in the Yarmouth School Department as a Level III Ed Tech. She has experience analyzing IEPs and will work directly with classroom teachers to address different learning styles. Kristin also teaches English and The Fundamentals of Study course.

Jessie grew up in Maine and skiing at Sugarloaf. She received her BS in Mathematics from Simmons College in Boston and went on to receive her Masters Degree from James Cook University in Australia. For 13 years she lived and worked in Australia in the field of marine research, specifically ichthyology with a specialty in tropical reef fish ecology and shark fisheries. She enjoys SCUBA diving, fishing and skiing.

After graduating from CVA, Courtney took her freestyle talents and determination to the US Freestyle Ski Team where she represented the US on the World Cup Tour until 1998. She then went on to earn a BA in History from the University of Colorado Boulder. Courtney continued her education receiving a Secondary Education Certificate from Black Hills State University and a Masters in American History from the University Of South Dakota where she is currently a Doctor of Education Candidate in Curriculum And Instruction. Between 2005 and 2018 Courtney taught at Stevens High School in Rapid City, SD. She has experience teaching Government, Economics, Sociology, and English. She served as Economics club advisor, Social Studies Department Head, AP certified instructor & exam administrator, and Debate coach. 

Owen graduated from University of Maine Orono with a BS in Ecology and Environmental Science and a BA in Economics, with a concentration in sustainability, natural resource management and environmental policy. Owen has worked on the Narraguagus and Machias rivers on Atlantic Salmon restoration projects, where he raised and stocked fish, took daily measurements of the rivers, and implemented post assisted log structures to adjust stream geomorphology. His interest in education stems from a research project that he worked on aimed towards enhancing rural forest-located economic vitality through k-12 schooling. In his free time, Owen loves playing music and fishing throughout the summer while he waits for the snow to fly. 

Jeni Conover has many years of coaching experience in multiple aspects of youth development.  As a mother of 3, she is devoted to guiding children to achieve new skills on all levels and she strives to build self- confidence in every athlete she works with.
Jeni attended Stratton Mountain School in the 80s, where she earned herself a spot on the US Ski Team’s development squad.  She earned a BS in Kinesiology and exercise science from Western State College in Gunnison, CO.  Her alpine ski coaching experience is extensive.  She began her coaching in Telluride, CO, and upon returning to Maine, she revived and directed the Ragged Mountain Ski Club at the Camden Snow bowl for many years before joining us at CVA to head our U12 program.  At the Snow Bowl, she played a major role in race and event organization.  Last year Jeni returned to CO for a year to coach U12s with Ski Club Vail and brought back valuable experiences.  Jeni’s certifications are extensive, including Ed Tech #3, US Coast Guard captain, US Ski & Snowboard Level 200 alpine coach, and CPR/First Aid.  
She has run a licensed daycare in her home town of Camden, and also runs many summer maritime based and adventure camps.  In her time with us here at CVA, Jeni has been a major positive influence on our young athletes, and has played a key role in many preseason and winter camps here at Sugarloaf, in CO, and Chile.

Jesse has been a coach at CVA since 2005. He is a certified level 200 USSA Freestyle coach who has coached park and pipe and is now instrumental in CVA’s new Freeride program. In the off-season, Jesse works as a hunting guide, and enjoys outdoor activities. He lives in New Sharon, Maine with his wife and son, Osten Duncan ’22.

Kirk Dwyer joined CVA in the spring of 2021. Previously Kirk served as the Executive Director and Alpine Program Director at Ski and Snowboard Club Vail from 2016-2021. While overseeing alpine, snowboard, freestyle and Nordic he continued to coach alpine athletes on the hill. Kirk served as Headmaster at Burke Mountain Academy from 2000-2016. While at BMA Kirk also was president of Burke Mountain Ski Area from 2000-2005, BMA Head J3, U16 and Women’s FIS coach, chairman of the Eastern Alpine Competition Committee, vice-president of VARA, chair of the Eastern Region Development and Youth Committees, and chair of the National Development Committee. Prior to Burke, he worked at the Green Mountain Valley School for 25 years where he served as Assistant Headmaster, Head Women’s Coach, Head Men’s Coach, and Head Alpine Coach as well as an English and Humanities teacher. Kirk was USSA Domestic Coach of the Year in 1989 and is a level 500 certified coach. Kirk and his wife, Robin, live locally.

Matt is certified level 100 US Ski and Snowboard coach and referee since 2012 and coaching at CVA since 2015.  He has coached the U14s, U16s and both the U19 Men and Women FIS athletes at CVA.  Matt brings a large breadth of knowledge, coaching skills and techniques to help fine tune and drive our athletes to be their best.  While coaching in New Hampshire, Matt coached three different athletes to individual State tiles and one team State Championship.  Prior to ski coaching, Matt spent 15 years as a professional Ski Patroller and as a Patroller trainer,  able to bring a high level of safety and quick initial first aid response if ever needed.  Matt is also one of our veteran employees having retired after 21 years of honorable service in the U.S. Coast Guard.  He’s the father of Dow, CVA ‘19 and Indiana who is on CVA’s teaching staff.

A native of Portland, Maine, Keegan graduated from CVA in 2014. His accomplishments include FIS, NorAm, and World Junior level in slopestyle, as well as Dew Tour podiums and X Games starts. He has been a featured athlete in numerous ski films and won many accolades throughout the Freeski industry.  He joined the CVA coaching staff in 2019.

Jesse Lowell graduated from CVA in 2014. At school here, he was a three time Nor Am finalist with a few top ten finishes in Moguls. Jesse started out skiing with the CVA weekend program and continued to cultivate his talents all the way through high school under the coaching of Nate Mackenzie and staff. After graduating from CVA, Jesse moved on to St. Lawrence College to graduate with a major in environmental studies in 2019. Jesse served as a USSA Freestyle judge for two seasons, working at events in both Freeski and Moguls, before he joined the CVA staff in 2020. 

Owen is a recent graduate of Northern Vermont University’s (formerly Lyndon State) Outdoor Recreation Management program where he built his foundation in backcountry ski guiding, avalanche education, and general experiential education.  After college, he went on to patrol at Solitude Mountain Resort where he gained experience in avalanche mitigation and emergency medicine, while also growing his own skiing resume. Additionally, he has been an instructor for the White Mountain School Climbing Camp and a guide for Bearhouse Mountain Guides. Owen is a fantastic instructor in both the climbing and skiing realms.  Owen’s professional certifications and trainings include American Avalanche Association Professional Level 1, Wilderness First Responder, Outdoor Emergency Care, American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) Single Pitch Climbing Instructor, and AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide. 

Throughout his competitive snowboard career at CVA, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club and Sierra Nevada College, Freddy established himself as a dominant SBX racer earning Junior Worlds nods and a World Cup Start. Freddy is a well-rounded rider who won multiple USCSA titles in multiple snowboard disciplines while attending Sierra Nevada College in Tahoe. He served for three seasons as the Head Snowboard Coach at his alma mater before joining the CVA coaching staff in 2019. Freddy graduated from CVA in the Class of 2012.

After graduating from CVA in 2017, Pat went on to attend Endicott College where he played rugby and studied Sports Management.  Athletes appreciate his bright smile and welcoming demeanor as well as his reliability as a coach.

A former high-level racer, after graduating from CVA himself, Travis went on to ski for Colby Sawyer College. Upon completing his degree in Sports Management he remained at CSC as a coach from 2010-2017. During his tenure there, he was vital to the success of the program as it competed at the highest level of collegiate racing. He has worked with athletes at the Nor-AM and NCAA Championship levels.

Anne grew up in the small town of Greenville, Maine. Her father was and still is the Greenville Lakers alpine race coach. It was at the high school practices and races that Anne's passion and love for ski racing began. At 15 years old, Anne was selected to receive a Alfond Scholarship to attend four years at Carrabassett Valley Academy. By her senior year, she was recruited by Bates College to ski for their division 1 ski team. Anne competed all four years, contributing to the success of the Bates team, and qualified for NCAA Championships. Following her retirement, Anne started her coaching career with Gould Academy. In her 7 years of coaching, Anne has worked with a variety of ages, including Women and Men U16, Women's FIS/U19, and Women and Men U14. While not on snow or in the gym with athletes, Anne has a background in outdoor recreation. She worked with LLBean Discovery School and is an active Level 2 Maine Whitewater Guide, Recreational Maine Guide, and Level 1 Mountain Bike Instructor.

Alex, CVA Class of 2009, is a former U.S. Snowboard Team member, he competed on the Nor-Am, Europa Cup and World Cup circuits, and earned a silver medal at the 2014 X Games in Aspen. He started his coaching career at CVA under Mike Mallon, then led the CVA snowboarding program to new levels of success before joining Team USA as head coach of the U.S. Paralympic Snowboarding team, seeing them through the Olympics in Beijing.  His experience with cross courses around the world are of great benefit as he guides and assists with our home course builds.

Science Teacher and Athletic Trainer. Tristy earned her Bachelor's degree from Plymouth State University in Athletic Training and Fitness and Rehabilitation with a minor in Health. She holds a Master's degree in Holistic Health Studies from Georgian Court University and has several years of teaching experience.

Kim has worked in the field of marketing for the last twelve years. She started her career in the technology industry, creating marketing materials and campaigns for key technology products. Leaving the corporate world behind, she moved into a consultancy role, helping her clients to better tell their stories through all mediums. Most recently, Kim took a year off to homeschool her children, rediscovering her love for education. Kim lives in Carrabassett Valley with her husband (Bill), two daughters (Emmelyn and Eliza), dog (Bailey), and cat (Vegas). She loves the lifestyle that the valley offers from hiking, to biking, to skiing with her family. She looks forward to combining her love for education, and experience in marketing, to grow visibility and enrollment at CVA.

Katie (she/her/hers) received a degree in Psychology & Art from Sierra Nevada College in 2016. She has nearly completed a M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Saybrook University. Over the course of the coming year, in addition to working at CVA, she will complete the necessary practicum and internship hours required to earn her Master's degree and become a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) for the state of Maine. Katie has a rich and creative history working with and advocating for teens. While living in the west, she donated her time at an integrated horse ranch in Washoe, Nevada utilizing equine and art therapy, as well as interning with Kindred Art & Folk Institute creating art with children with autism in Truckee, CA. Most recently, Katie has gained professional experience at the Central Maine Learning Center in Belgrade as a Behavioral Health Professional working with at-risk teens. 
Katie loves cross-country road trips and has lived in many places throughout the U.S. including California, Nevada, New Jersey, Washington, and Northeastern Pennsylvania, where she originally hails from. Katie decided to put down roots in Maine and now calls Kingfield home. She loves being in the mountains and is an avid mountain biker, nordic skier, and hiker.