It's a long story....
After a decade working as an engineer in the hypersonics and optics industry I began to wonder if there was a way that I could have a larger impact on the future. After careful consideration, I set out to pursue a second career as an educator. My rationale? If I can solve a handful of technical problems over the course of my career as an engineer, I could amplify my impact by helping to educate and create an entire generation of engineers over the course of my career as an educator!
I am now a New York State Certified educator and have been teaching Regents / Honors Physics, AP1 Physics, and Science Research for nearly a decade. During my teaching career I have worked in large, small, and mid-sized districts so I have experience with a diverse group of students in varied academic settings and with a wide range of academic goals. My students have consistently achieved pass rates and mastery rates (85% or higher) above the state average on the New York Physics Regents exam and have scored above the state and national averages on the AP1 physics exam. I have built a physics program from the ground up, increasing student enrollment by 100% over 3 years while also launching an AP physics program. During this same time my students pass and mastery rates improved by more than 20%. I have built a Science Research program from scratch, forging connections with outside research organizations in order to facilitate student research opportunities. I hold certifications in Physics Education for grades 5 – 12, General Science 7-12, along with a certification in Technology Education for grades K-12. I am currently working toward certifications in Mathematics as well as SBL / SDL Administration.
The secret to the success of my students in the classroom? Leverage my first-hand experiences developing cutting edge technologies as an engineer to illustrate the importance and applicability of physics principles studied inside the classroom to the world outside the classroom. Create authentic learning opportunities for all students by developing an understanding of who they are, what interests them, and how they learn best. Activate their intrinsic motivation by providing them with a choice in how they learn and building their confidence to take ownership of their academic pursuits. Empowering all students to be the captain of their own ship and actively direct their life rather than passively participate. Most importantly, "trick" them into learning about physics, science, and technology while they're busy having fun in the classroom!
When I'm not in the classroom teaching or in my office designing new technologies, I am busy being an exhausted father to 4 amazing children, a scatterbrained husband to my incredible (and patient!) wife, an avid saltwater fisherman, a washed up surfer, a salty and marginally accomplished sailor, an amateur oyster farmer, a lover of the great outdoors, a backyard farmer and maple syrup producer, a builder and tinkerer, a shade tree mechanic, a log splitting lumberjack, a dreamer, an adventurer, and an insatiably curious student.
I am now a New York State Certified educator and have been teaching Regents / Honors Physics, AP1 Physics, and Science Research for nearly a decade. During my teaching career I have worked in large, small, and mid-sized districts so I have experience with a diverse group of students in varied academic settings and with a wide range of academic goals. My students have consistently achieved pass rates and mastery rates (85% or higher) above the state average on the New York Physics Regents exam and have scored above the state and national averages on the AP1 physics exam. I have built a physics program from the ground up, increasing student enrollment by 100% over 3 years while also launching an AP physics program. During this same time my students pass and mastery rates improved by more than 20%. I have built a Science Research program from scratch, forging connections with outside research organizations in order to facilitate student research opportunities. I hold certifications in Physics Education for grades 5 – 12, General Science 7-12, along with a certification in Technology Education for grades K-12. I am currently working toward certifications in Mathematics as well as SBL / SDL Administration.
The secret to the success of my students in the classroom? Leverage my first-hand experiences developing cutting edge technologies as an engineer to illustrate the importance and applicability of physics principles studied inside the classroom to the world outside the classroom. Create authentic learning opportunities for all students by developing an understanding of who they are, what interests them, and how they learn best. Activate their intrinsic motivation by providing them with a choice in how they learn and building their confidence to take ownership of their academic pursuits. Empowering all students to be the captain of their own ship and actively direct their life rather than passively participate. Most importantly, "trick" them into learning about physics, science, and technology while they're busy having fun in the classroom!
When I'm not in the classroom teaching or in my office designing new technologies, I am busy being an exhausted father to 4 amazing children, a scatterbrained husband to my incredible (and patient!) wife, an avid saltwater fisherman, a washed up surfer, a salty and marginally accomplished sailor, an amateur oyster farmer, a lover of the great outdoors, a backyard farmer and maple syrup producer, a builder and tinkerer, a shade tree mechanic, a log splitting lumberjack, a dreamer, an adventurer, and an insatiably curious student.
Extra Curricular Activities
- Moriches Bay Project - Nearly 4 Million oysters grown to date! - 2016 - Present
- Upweller Manager
- Moriches Bay Project Team
- Moriches Bay Project Team
- Sayville Yacht Club - 2012 - Present
- J-24 Bow / Trim, Pearson 35 Trim / Driver
- 2x Around Long Island Regatta Competitor
- 5X J-24 Corinthian National Championship Competitor
- Trinity College Rugby Football Club - 2002 - 2005
- A-side Inside Center / Team Treasurer / Co-Captain / Ireland Tour Manager
