College Counseling

Since 1985 I have been part of the Beaver community, working in a variety of administrative capacities as well as teaching English and co-curricular courses. My calling as a teacher comes from my interest in kids, in helping them develop their critical minds and creative spirits. I’ve always been drawn to the arts. I spent a sabbatical studying poetry and portrait drawing and have recently developed an interest in rug-hooking, an old folk art tradition. Although my primary focus at Beaver is college counseling, I have valued the opportunity to teach fiction writing, a senior English elective that focuses on developing students’ artistic sensibilities and technical skills. In both my role as counselor and teacher, my work has been about helping students discover their stories and the power of their imaginations. Maybe it is my California roots that push me to dream.

I believe that teaching is about building relationships and motivating students to achieve at their highest potential. Beaver is a place where I will be able to grow as an educator because of its dedication to progressive education. I look forward to small class sizes—an integral part of a powerful education. I am also very excited to work with a motivated staff and administration that has one goal in mind—to educate each student. My experience in the Boston Public Schools has taught me that the most important way to truly empower students is through building positive relationships and allowing students to see the possibilities that lie beyond the school walls.

Outside the classroom, I am the boys’ head basketball coach. I started coaching basketball during my sophomore year in college at my alma mater Boston Latin School. At that point, I grew to love coaching so much that basketball has since been apart of my life. I am entering my 21st season coaching basketball. My coaching career began at Boston Latin School followed by Emerson College where I was an assistant coach for five years. Then in 1999 I became the head boys’ basketball coach at the John D. O’Bryant School of Math and Science in Boston. The last ten years at the O’Bryant gave me the opportunity to use basketball to guide young men in becoming champions in the game of life. I look forward to bringing this experience to Beaver. Aside from teaching and coaching, I enjoy spending time with my wife and my two beautiful children ages 3 and 5 months.