Why did you become a teacher?

At first I became a teacher because I wanted to coach, but very early when I was teaching I realised that I loved teaching, so it was clear it was the right choice.

What is your favourite year from your 23 years at VC and why?

This year! (laughs) I don't have a favourite year, sorry. There's too many good things to choose from and sometimes my favourite year is when it has been rougher or been more challenging, and in getting through it there was a lot of joy.

What is your favourite subject to teach?

I actually think it's Religion even though I am a Social Studies major.

(Interviewer: Yeah, you're really good at teaching that, actually.)

Thank you, I appreciate it.

What is your most memorable moment at VC?

Oh God, there it is again, I don't have a single one. There's things that happen by the time our young men are in grade 12 that are very rewarding: things like seeing some of their growth on the Encounter retreat, or hearing stories about how someone has changed or matured. 

And then, another big thing, and this happened more earlier when I was here, but sending multiple guys to American schools on scholarships because it took a lot of work and it was really, really rewarding.

What is it like working with your wife?

We love it. It's been good because we get to see each other a little bit. That's positive. It's also probably made more possible, more easy, because she's in the Senior School and I'm in the Middle School, so we are not always around each other, so we give each other a little bit of space. But then we see each other maybe at lunch for a minute or whatever. Yeah, it's been very natural. We work very well together, so… HARMONIOUS.

What is your favourite story to tell?

Probably the near death experiences because although, every story I tell I feel like I'm reliving it, when I tell THOSE stories, the near death experiences, and I relive them, it really makes me happy to be alive. It really makes me happy that I came through those events. So yeah for those reasons those are my favourite.

Favourite Sports Team?

Seahawks. It's a family tradition.

What is your favourite Gatorade flavour?

I still like good ol' fashion, original lemon and lime. 

Do you prefer the new building or old building here at VC?

Oh wow that's a good question. Everybody who went to elementary school over there - even if for only three or four years - what do they say?    

(Interviewer: I actually kind of miss the old one.)

I know, and like, ask Ms. Accili, ask so many who taught there for a long time. Yeah, I prefer the old building. I really miss the old building.   

(Interviewer: It feels a lot bigger.)

Yes.

What are your leaving words for VC?

Oh wow, what!? I don't have any. 

Well… Leave here as a better man!