Can you tell us a bit about your background, and how it led you to teach at NCCL?
I graduated from Swarthmore College in 1986 with a B.A. in mathematics and a secondary school certificate in math. Although Swarthmore didn't offer an elementary teaching certificate, I had worked with younger grades in my school placements, and my goal was to work with younger students. After graduation, I taught at Wilmington Friends School for three years (3rd and 4th grade) and then at Friends School of Baltimore for three years (5th grade). When my family moved to Chicago, I stayed home with Jasmine and Noah. For the last four years I taught 3-year-olds at Newark Cooperative Preschool. There was a one-year stint as an 8th-grade algebra teacher at Tatnall somewhere in there. I have also worked for White Clay Creek State Park leading school field trips to the park.
I was first introduced to NCCL by attending Quaker Meeting for Worship in the school on Sundays. I was impressed by the student work on display and the materials available to students. When we became dissatisfied with Jasmine's public school experience, NCCL seemed like the obvious choice for our family. As a parent, I learned even more about the school and continued to be impressed about what my kids were doing and what neat opportunities they had.
Have you found yourself adjusting any aspects of your teaching style at NCCL?
I always feel like I am adjusting my teaching style based on the group of kids I have in front of me and what I think they need or are ready for. I have often worked with a more fixed schedule, but I like the flexibility of being able to follow a topic or an activity that the kids find fascinating until we are ready to move on. Another part of NCCL that I really like is that all the students in the school are part of who I teach, not just Group One kids. Merely the idea of All-School Meeting is a powerful one to me. It takes a lot of trust and faith to turn over part of every week to whatever might come up from any member of the school community.
After teaching 3-year-olds, I find that I have to run a lot faster on the playground to escape from being tagged by Group One kids!
What can you tell us about how you share responsibilities with your co-teachers?
When I started at Wilmington Friends School, each classroom had two full-time teachers for each grade, so I began my career in a co-teaching setting. I'm glad to be back in a situation where I have a colleague in the same room. Becky and I do our planning together and are able to compare notes on students and situations. It has been very easy to work with Becky. We seem to share a similar outlook on teaching and kids and yet bring different experiences and perspectives to the classroom. In this first year I have been following Becky's lead, and I appreciate all the help she has given me and the patience she has shown as I figure out NCCL from the inside. More specifically, I let Becky make all of the phone calls because she doesn't get off the phone until she gets the answer she wants.
How do you like to spend your time when you're not at school?
Running is my favorite form of exercise, so I try to get out 2-3 times a week. My family is raising Rosie, a German shepherd puppy, to be a Seeing Eye dog, so we try to plan outings with her regularly. My wife, Joann, and I like to cook, so we spend time planning and preparing meals together. I love to watch my daughter, Jasmine, play soccer, and since she is on a travel team this year, I have lots of opportunities! I have been taking piano lessons, and although I am not a great player, I do enjoy making music. On Sundays, I'm back at NCCL for Quaker Meeting for Worship. We sing together, meet in silent worship, and also have First Day (Sunday) School. Given the events of September 11, it has been a blessing to be able to meet and worship with people who believe in peace. Quakers believe there is a part of God in everyone, and seeking that part of God in others serves as a basis for how I interact with people, whether they are close to me, or part of the wider community.