I grew up in Fall River, Massachusetts.
When I was in fifth grade, I loved to play basketball and baseball. I also enjoyed playing the trumpet and piano.
Both of my parents were teachers.
I met Mrs. Latessa as a freshman at Holy Cross College in Worcester, MA in 1988. We got married in August of 1998 (27 years!)
I received my Masters Degree in Education while working at Suffolk University in Boston.
Before moving to New Jersey, we lived in New Haven, CT where I worked at Yale University.
I was a stay-at-home dad to my children for several years after moving to New Jersey.
My daughter and twin sons are proud graduate of Westfield High School. Sophie will be a junior at Villanova, Zach will be a freshman at Syracuse, and Ben will be a freshman at Lafayette.
I believe that students at the elementary level have a natural curiosity and openness to learning that can be flamed during their early educational experiences.
I have coached baseball, basketball and softball.
I encourage students to take a mature approach to learning which prioritizes long term learning over short-term results.
I want students to take risks and learn from mistakes. Instead of feeling pressure to get a good grade, I hope that students will feel energized to learn and accept challenges.
As we say in Massachusetts, I am "wicked smaht" - at least that's what my mother tells me!
I am a proud member of Red Sox nation and root for all Boston sports teams - Celtics, Patriots, and Bruins.
My favorite sporting event is March Madness.
I love reading and read many middle grade books. Some of my favorite authors are Kate DiCamillo, Linsday Eagar, and Katherine Applegate.
My family enjoyed our summer. I was recovering from an injury and surgery on my achilles, but we still made it to Cape Cod for a few days, Memorial Pool, Ocean Grove, and several movies. We enjoyed backyard games, made some puzzles, and played some board games. The boys and I went to Summer Slam at Met Life and although we do not follow WWE very much, we had a good time. We also spent lots of time getting Zach and Ben ready for their first year away at college.
My favorite middle grade books that I have read this summer are continuations of series. I eagerly awaited Jessica Townsend's fourth installment of Morrigan Crow (Silverborn: The Myetsry of Morrigan Crow), and it did not disappoint. I also enjoyed Adam Gidwitz's sequel Max in the Land of Spies and might rate it even above the first in the series Max in the House of Spies, which is saying something! I hope that we can read it together or that I can encourage many of you to pick it up for your independent reading.
My favorite Marvel superhero is Mr. Fantastic; my favorite DC superhero is Hawkman. I loved the Superman movie and based on saying Mr. Fantastic is my fave, you can likely guess that I loved the Fantastic Four movie.
My favorite graphic novel series is Bone by Jeff Smith.
As an educator, my stance then and now begins with liking the children at the school and having a sincere interest in their development. My stance neatly sums up into treating and educating the students with the same care and respect with which I would want my own children to be treated at school.
I look forward to a "wicked awesome" year in 5-L with you!