"Small school – big heart." Few embodied this motto of JFK International School as wholeheartedly as longtime director Henri Behar. For more than a decade, the school was his world – and his passion.
Earlier this year, he began handing over the reins to his successor, Shirley Mitchell. In this interview, Henri reflects on what he’ll miss most and why this goodbye is not quite the end.

Henri, you've stepped down from your role. Are you officially retired?
Not quite yet! I was meant to retire last year, but a hiccup in the succession process meant I stayed on a bit longer. Luckily, we found Shirley Mitchell, who started in January. I now work closely with her, passing on my responsibilities and experience. I'll officially step away from my duties at the end of the winter term in March.

What comes next for you?
Back to my roots! My wife and I plan to return to Guatemala, where I’m originally from. The climate is wonderful, and it’s a beautiful place to live. But retirement doesn’t mean sitting still – I’ll continue to run the JFK Summer Camp. I can coordinate things remotely from Guatemala and return in person each summer. The camp runs for six weeks from July through mid-August.

That still sounds like a lot of work.
Of course – but the school feels like my baby! I couldn’t just cut the cord. Besides, coming back each summer also gives me a chance to visit my daughters in Switzerland and my son in Germany.

You’ve been head of JFK for over ten years. What first brought you to the Saanenland?
It was a bit of a cry for help. In 2011, the school was in a fragile transition phase – the Lovell family had just handed it over to the JFK Foundation, many families had left, and there were only 27 students left. Some even thought the school had already closed. That’s when Philippe Gudin, who knew me from the education world, approached me to help revive it. I took on the challenge in 2014.

Had you led a school before?
Not exactly by design. I’m actually trained as an architect. But I’ve always had a strong connection to my former school, Collège du Léman in Geneva. After moving from Guatemala, I attended CDL for my final two school years and stayed on afterward in various roles – head of boarding, marketing, and the summer programme.

Did you expect to stay this long in the Saanenland?
Yes and no. I knew rebuilding the school would take time – at least three years – and I committed to that. But I thought I’d have to go back to Geneva every weekend because there’d be “nothing to do” here. How wrong I was! I fell in love with the area and never looked back. I hardly go to Geneva now – maybe once or twice a year.

Where do you live here?
I live in the school boarding house in Saanen, right among the students.

Doesn’t that affect your privacy?
Not at all. I like waking up to the sounds of the kids and being right there when the day begins. It’s also very practical – if something unexpected happens, I’m immediately on hand.

And your wife is fine with that setup?
Yes – she’s been wonderfully supportive. She understands that being a school director often means being present and hands-on.

What’s changed in the day-to-day life at JFK over the past decade?
The biggest change has been the parents. They’ve become more demanding and overprotective. It’s not ill-intentioned, but it can make it harder for children to grow and learn independently.

And the children themselves?
Children are more or less the same everywhere. I love seeing younger ones play together, even when they don’t speak the same language yet. But yes, our fast-paced world and screen addiction have left their mark. Many children struggle with concentration and resilience – they expect things to be instant and easy. That’s why JFK puts strong emphasis on outdoor learning. It gets them out of their comfort zones and teaches them effort and patience.

What will you miss most, once you’re back in Guatemala?
The children. (He pauses, visibly emotional.) Sorry – that’s hitting me more than I expected. 
At a small school like JFK, the connection with the kids is very personal. They don’t see me as a strict headmaster – more like a "big father." They come to me with their stories, their questions – sometimes just for a hug. That closeness will be hard to let go of.

And the Saanenland?
Absolutely. I’ll miss the people – I used to think Swiss-Germans were reserved, but I’ve found them open and warm. And I love everything about the region: walks by Lake Arnen or Lake Lauenen, skiing in winter – I’m not a racer, but I enjoy being out in nature!

Based on AvS | Sonja Wolf.