Current Subjects/Grade Levels Taught
Grade 9 English and Grades 11 & 12 IBDP English A: Literature SL and HL ​

What year did you start teaching at WIS?
2022

What year did you start teaching?
2009

What drew you to teaching? Why did you become a teacher?
I came to teaching via the subject that I teach: English. I have always loved reading, research, writing, and slow thinking. I started teaching as a TA, leading discussion sections when I was a graduate student, and I eventually became an instructor where I designed my own 100-, 200-, and 300-level university courses such as Women's Literature, Digital Humanities, Ethics and Literature, and Young Adult Literature. I had a lot of opportunities to teach while I was in graduate school! While I was engaged in research for my PhD, I found that teaching helped me clarify and systematize my thinking the best, since I also had to think about how I was going to communicate my ideas with other learners. I experienced first-hand that learning is relational — discussion in a community is where the best thinking happens. I love the zingy intellectual energy of the classroom, especially that of the literature classroom, where students simultaneously work out who they are and what they believe in. What a privilege to be part of that process! I wanted to be around it for life. Right before I defended my dissertation, I had a big decision to make: was I going to be a research librarian, or was I going to move halfway around the world to teach IB students from all over? I took the risk and moved halfway around the world. It was one of the scariest, but best, decisions I've ever made.

Why WIS? What made you want to teach here? Why do you stay?
After my experience at a United World College overseas, I knew I had to keep teaching the IBDP. It's the best high-school level English education anyone can get, bar none. Since I have a background in literary research, I know that the IBDP is grounded in the latest research on literary methodology and approaches. My first revelatory experience as a new WIS teacher was at WISSIT, and it was so exciting to learn about teaching approaches that prioritized deep thinking and process-based learning. I felt like I had found a home! My second revelatory experience as a new WIS teacher was being with the students in the classroom. It was immediately apparent that they have been taught how to think independently from a young age. WIS is the ideal environment for what I described about why I love teaching: the zingy intellectual energy is there, and I have opportunities for professional nourishment as well.

What do find exceptional about the WIS experience, either as a teacher or what you observe in your students?
There are so many ideas to engage with here and so much creativity. I know that students will not hesitate at all if I give them a big piece of paper and some markers and ask them to visualize their thinking. I am continually impressed with their ideas, and I'm always inspired by them! As a teacher, I find my colleagues inspiring as well: it is fulfilling to be part of a community overflowing with talent and expertise.

What is something our community would find surprising or unexpected about you?
My hobby is self-supported bicycle touring — just me, my bike, my camping gear, and the road. I've gone all the way from DC to Pittsburgh on the C&O/GAP trail, and my longest trip was somewhere around 1100 miles over two weeks. I also built the bike that I took on these trips. Bicycle touring is such a humane and perfectly-paced way to travel, so someday I would love to tour Japan, the West Coast, or a European cycle route. Food tastes so much better when eaten outdoors after a long day of cycling.

Is there anything else you would like our community to know about you?
Please be careful about getting me started in a conversation about books we've been reading or music we're into. I might be late to my next class.

Current Subjects/Grade Levels
Upper School Spanish and Theory of Knowledge

What year did you start teaching at WIS?
2019

What year did you start teaching?
2010

What drew you to teaching? Why did you become a teacher?
I learn so much from my students every day. Teaching makes me question my knowledge all the time and requires me to keep it relevant.

Why WIS? What made you want to teach here? Why do you stay?
Like many WIS students, I also grew up "between worlds." My experiences and identity are not seen as something foreign. Why do I stay? The school is welcoming, there is a great teacher community, and there is a lot of support and opportunity for growth.

What do you find exceptional about the WIS experience, either as a teacher or what you observe in your students?
It's not a cookie-cutter school. Students come from all over the world with a variety of view points, languages, and very unique experiences.

What is something our community would find surprising or unexpected about you?
I learned how to drive at the age of 12 and still drive a stick shift.

Current Subjects/Grade Levels
Upper School Physics

What year did you start teaching at WIS?
2012

What year did you start teaching?
1977

What drew you to teaching? Why did you become a teacher?
I began my work career as an engineer in a multinational company, but I was not enjoying it. The company that I worked for arranged a communications exercise, during which we (the 1975 hires) were supposed to deliver a twenty minute talk on anything we desired. The presentations were filmed and a man from BBC Radio 4 would then tell us how bad our talk was. I chose to describe a project that I had worked on as an undergraduate. For the project, my team had designed and built a vehicle with regenerative braking, but we came across numerous problems that we solved in "creative" ways. A good example was when I discovered that I couldn't weld. To cover up my patchy welding, we used putty with iron filings in it. The putty looked like a weld and passed the magnet test, and we painted over the whole thing to disguise it. There were plenty more things we did to solve our problems that I described in my talk, and my descriptions of them were well received. Just prior to the presentation, the man from Radio 4 changed the rules and only allowed each person to put five words on a notecard. Many on the the group were planning to read five pages and they were in big trouble. I assumed that I should write five words and so I did, but I never looked at the card once. I had slides and broken bits of our vehicle that nicely showed the various forms of subterfuge that we carried out during our project. Anyway, the talk went really well, everybody laughed, and for the first time I enjoyed talking in front of a group. I quit the next day and signed up for postgraduate teacher training.

Why WIS? What made you want to teach here? Why do you stay?
To be honest, we follow my wife's career and so when she said that she was being transferred to DC, I sent my resume to every school in the area. I was lucky enough to land a job at WIS. I really like teaching here and overall, it is the best school I have taught in. My colleagues are awesome and the students are a delight. I like teaching IB DP Physics a lot, but also the schedule and resources provided at WIS give me the flexibility to plan classes properly.

What do you find exceptional about the WIS experience, either as a teacher or what you observe in your students?
I have worked in nine schools, seven of them independent schools. In most of them, the students have worked together with the teachers and other adults in the community and WIS is no exception. There is very little of the "us and them" that was obvious when I was a student. Cooperation and a sense that teachers and students work together with common goals in mind is a feature of this school in particular.

What is something our community would find surprising or unexpected about you?
I like heavy rock music. I used to have waist-length hair and a braided, forked beard.

Is there anything else you would like our community to know about you?
I play golf every Sunday even in winter, but I'm not addicted to it.

Current Subjects/Grade Levels
Grades 9-12 French A Standard Level; Grade 11 Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

What year did you start teaching at WIS?
2018

What year did you start teaching?
2012

What drew you to teaching? Why did you become a teacher?
At first, it was mandatory when I was a graduate student at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Then the passion of teaching took over, especially when I could see the students grow in their learning or the stars in their eyes when we were exploring some topics. I also noticed that the more I taught, the more I learned from the students in terms of cultures and perspectives.

Why WIS? What made you want to teach here? Why do you stay?
The international identity of WIS was the key thing that made me say "yes." Coming from Ann Arbor, a small town (yet very cosmopolitan within its university campuses) had already set the tone for the diversity and the inclusion. I knew WIS would be the only place where I wouldn't be asked, "What accent is that? I love it!" when I expressed myself in English. Chances are that many of us will get more diverse accents whether while speaking in English, French, Chinese or Spanish.

What do you find exceptional about the WIS experience, either as a teacher or what you observe in your students?
My students are brilliant and so curious that if I don't come really prepared it can be challenging. The good news is that I am also very curious and always eager to learn, so they better get prepared too, as I tell them, because I am going to bombard them with questions as well in terms of building up our class knowledge. I like to think of my classroom as a small community where I actively apply the Bantu Ubuntu's philosophy, the less complicated version being: "I am because YOU are." WIS is exceptional because it is easier to successfully create such a community than one could imagine.

What is something our community would find surprising or unexpected about you?
I love singing opera. My students already know that as they will always smile when they catch me humming an aria.

Is there anything else you would like our community to know about you?
I am a novelist and also a neurodivergent Cameroonian. Tout un programme!

Current Role
Tregaron Making & Design Initiatives Coordinator

What year did you start teaching at WIS?
2021

What year did you start teaching?
2005

What drew you to teaching? Why did you become a teacher?
When I was growing up, I didn’t enjoy school. I didn’t like getting up early, and I never remembered to do my homework. School became a cycle of stress instead of an opportunity to explore and make sense of the world around me. Education wasn’t something that I felt like I was invited into but rather something that was happening to me. And it didn’t help that it was totally boring! One day I came home from Kindergarten and declared to my mom that school just wasn’t for me and I wouldn’t be returning: “Thanks but no thanks.” I was leveled when she replied that it wasn’t optional (and that I would have to do this nonsense for the next 20+ years!).

Even though I struggled with school as a system, I was always aware when I was in the presence of a good teacher: someone who encourages questions, invites push back, and builds others up as learners and leaders. I would watch them in awe as they accomplished what seemed impossible: igniting my passion for learning and making me genuinely care about growing as a deep thinker.

I believe that it is every human’s right to be nurtured and challenged as they strive to make sense of the world around them. Looking back on all this, I feel grateful for the struggles I had in school because they made me the teacher I am today: one dedicated to my students’ evolution as thinkers, makers, and world shapers.

Why WIS? What made you want to teach here? Why do you stay?
I was a Middle School English teacher for 16 years before coming to WIS. Throughout my career I have been (perhaps a little bit obsessively) passionate about the role that art can—and should—play in the classroom. I’ve always seen art as a vehicle for understanding and something to be leveraged to better access and activate a learner’s thinking. As my practice evolved to include more and more arts integration, I moved further into art making with my students, bringing about my involvement with Maker-Centered Learning and JusticexDesign out of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. I took the idea of maker empowerment and ran with it…. all the way to WIS’s Alan Reese Design Lab! I knew that running the Design Lab was an opportunity I couldn’t dismiss and I’m so grateful that I didn’t. Every day I get to work, dream, and make in a space dedicated to these very ideals. How lucky am I?!

What do find exceptional about the WIS experience, either as a teacher or what you observe in your students?
WIS keeps my curiosity piqued and my creativity ignited. I am consistently blown away by how thoughtful WIS students are. Every day, I witness them asking pointed questions, exploring different perspectives, and challenging one another to look closer and think deeper. Being a part of this community has fostered a deep appreciation for international education in my heart.

What is something our community would find surprising or unexpected about you?
On Valentine's Day I adopted a cat named Chowder and he's purrrrfect.

Is there anything else you would like our community to know about you?
I am a committed yet mediocre pickle baller.

Current Subjects/Grade Levels Taught
Grade 9 English, Grades 11 & 12 SL English Literature

What year did you start teaching at WIS?
2004

What year did you start teaching?
1995

What drew you to teaching? Why did you become a teacher?
I spent the summer of '92 in northern Senegal and really loved it. To find a way back to West Africa, I became a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guinea, teaching English as a Foreign Language. I really loved being there, and teaching was really rewarding — I could see my students' growth and excitement in the classroom. When I returned to the US, I started teaching in schools around DC, though I shifted from ESOL to literature, my true interest and expertise.

Why WIS? What made you want to teach here? Why do you stay?
I was living in Burkina Faso, planning to move back to DC, and my mother, who lives in Takoma Park, told me she'd heard WIS had an opening. It seemed like a great fit — I was coming from an international school, and I certainly love the international mindset at WIS. Former Upper School Principal David Merkel said during my interview it seemed like I had found my spot. So, at first, I was happy to have a job, but I quickly realized that the variety of people here, both in the faculty and the student body, was the place I was looking for.

What do find exceptional about the WIS experience, either as a teacher or what you observe in your students?
One thing that I've never experienced at other schools is the students thanking me at the end of each class period. I don't know if WIS students know this is a tradition, or if they just do it of their own accord, but it's a lovely part of each day.

What is something our community would find surprising or unexpected about you?
In college and grad school, I hosted a reggae show on the college radio station. I even got to go backstage at a Jimmy Cliff show when his guitarist invited me to a show!

Is there anything else you would like our community to know about you?
I grew up in Takoma Park, just a block over the DC line, and one of my general educational goals is to help students better know this awesome city!

Current Subjects/Grade Levels Taught
Middle & Upper School Mandarin Chinese

What year did you start teaching at WIS?
2023

What year did you start teaching?
2009

What drew you to teaching? Why did you become a teacher?
Teaching was my childhood dream. I wanted to be a teacher as early as Grade 3, when my advisory teacher asked me about my future goal. Without hesitation, I said I wanted to become a teacher. Growing up in a family of educators — both my mother and sister are teachers — greatly influenced me and inspired my passion for education.

I later pursued this dream by studying Chinese Language and Literature at an education university, with the goal of teaching Chinese to foreign language learners. After graduating, I began my teaching journey and have had the opportunity to teach in different countries, including Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and the United States.

What I find most rewarding is teaching language and cultural skills to students who are new to both. Through the shared effort between my students and myself, I see them gradually gain confidence, communicate in Chinese, and use the language in school, work, and daily life. Watching how language learning helps students grow and opens doors for their future gives me a deep sense of fulfillment as an educator.

Why WIS? What made you want to teach here? Why do you stay?
I chose Washington International School because I was looking for a community that truly puts diversity, inclusion, and international-mindedness into action, not just as words or slogans. After joining WIS, I became involved in many school events and learning experiences that actively promote global citizenship and support international learners. WIS values teachers regardless of where they come from, and ideas are respected no matter who shares them, which allows me to bring creativity and professional judgment into my teaching. The students are truly international — curious, thoughtful, and highly engaged — and their energy, questions, and diverse perspectives continually inspire me to grow as an educator. Just as importantly, the colleagues and administrative teams are open-minded, supportive, and collaborative. I consistently feel valued, heard, and trusted at WIS, and this strong sense of belonging and shared mission is why I chose to teach here and why I continue to stay.

What do find exceptional about the WIS experience, either as a teacher or what you observe in your students?
Since joining WIS and teaching at both the Middle School and Upper School levels, I have been pleasantly surprised by students’ strong interest in learning Mandarin, an Asian language that is often considered less common in this region. Their openness and motivation reaffirm the importance of global language education.

The WIS community encourages creativity and professional trust. I am given the freedom to bring new ideas into the classroom, design engaging activities, make instructional decisions, and innovate in my teaching practice. This level of support is rare and deeply valuable to an educator.

In addition, WIS colleagues are welcoming, inspiring, and come from all over the world. Every day, we exchange cultures, languages, and perspectives, making the workplace feel like an international learning experience itself. 

What is something our community would find surprising or unexpected about you?
Something that may surprise the WIS community is that I am a passionate swimmer and I swim almost every day. During university, I sang in a rock band for four years and went on summer singing tours to help support my college tuition. I also worked as a part time wedding photographer in Thailand, capturing romantic moments for couples/families. 

Is there anything else you would like our community to know about you?
Beyond the four languages I speak — Mandarin, Cantonese, English, and Thai — WIS has inspired me, as a lifelong learner, to continue growing. I am currently learning French to better communicate with and support French-speaking students.

Current Role
Tregaron Research and Media Specialist

What year did you start teaching at WIS?
2013

What drew you to teaching? Why did you become a teacher?
Looking back, I realize I've always been a teacher at heart. All of my favorite childhood book heroines became teachers: Laura Ingalls Wilder, Anne Shirley, Jo March, Sarah Crewe. I used to create (and then do) homework assignments for my American Girl dolls and, in Girl Scouts, my favorite part was leading activities with younger troops. School is also where I feel happiest. I love the routine, traditions, and energy of students learning how to be the best versions of themselves. Schools symbolize a purpose and vision that I value. And, let's be honest, there's something magical about back to school season. A favorite movie of mine has a line that perfectly captures this: "I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address" (Ephron 1998). I love school supplies!

Why WIS? What made you want to teach here? Why do you stay?
My goal as a teacher is to empower students to become curious information seekers and thoughtful creators, who appreciate and learn from the experiences and perspectives of others. I believe an IB education is the best structure to achieve that goal. WIS's core values resonate with my own and its mission aligns perfectly with my philosophy of education, especially in its internationally-minded approach to teaching and learning.

What do you find exceptional about the WIS experience, either as a teacher or what you observe in your students?
WIS students ask fantastic questions! As a Research and Media specialist, my job is to help students explore and investigate answers to those questions and I couldn't ask for a more engaging environment. The intellectual curiosity here generates a constant stream of learning and growth for both students and teachers.

What is something our community would find surprising or unexpected about you?
I watch Jeopardy! every weeknight and am excellent at the news limericks on "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!"

Current Subjects/Grade Levels
Grades 11 and 12 IB DP Math (currently HL Analysis); Grade 10 Advanced Math

What year did you start teaching at WIS?
2017

What year did you start teaching?
2012

What drew you to teaching? Why did you become a teacher?
My path was different than that of most teachers—I am an engineer by training and worked as an analyst at McKinsey & Co (a management consulting firm) after getting my bachelor's degree. After I went to graduate school for an MBA, I then worked in the institutional fixed income business for 25 years—11 years with Salomon Brothers (now part of Citigroup) and 14 years for Deutsche Bank. I've always been interested in education, as it played a huge role in my career.

Like many non-teacher parents, I was a critic of how kids are taught, and I decided that instead of simply being a critic, I should get in the trenches and actually do something about it. Teaching, done right, is definitely more difficult than most critics think it is. I have tremendous respect for my colleagues here at WIS and at my previous school in Atlanta, and I've learned a great deal from them.

Why WIS? What made you want to teach here? Why do you stay?
My family spent nearly 30 years in Atlanta, and we loved it there. Seven years ago, my spouse Pam had an opportunity to take a senior marketing position with Navy Federal Credit Union, and we moved to northern Virginia. WIS just happened to have an opening around the time we were moving. . . so my being here is a stroke of good luck. I've stayed here because I really enjoy the students here, and the community of parents and teachers.

What do find exceptional about the WIS experience, either as a teacher or what you observe in your students?
Our students are bright and motivated—they keep me on my toes! It's fun to teach students who are inquisitive and don't mind stepping up and taking on big challenges.

What is something our community would find surprising or unexpected about you?
I have two grown sons who were both adopted from Russia—one as a six-month old in 1994, and the other as a one-year old in 1997. When they were children, we had au pairs from Russia, Latvia, Bulgaria, Spain, Poland, and Germany. Two of our au pairs ended eventually getting married in the United States and are now United States citizens, and they have children of their own that we have relationships with—so the child-rearing comes full-circle!

Is there anything else you would like our community to know about you?
To the best of my knowledge, I'm the first (and only) person in the world to run a marathon in all 50 states with only one kidney. My spouse Pam and I finished our 50-state journey in Jackson Hole Wyoming in September 2024. And, I hope to run the Boston marathon in 2026—I ran a Boston Qualifying (BQ) time at the Marine Corp Marathon in October 2024, but one never knows how much you have to beat the BQ time to actually get in the race.

Current Subjects/Grade Levels
Middle School Spanish

What year did you start teaching at WIS?
2016

What year did you start teaching?
2006

What drew you to teaching? Why did you become a teacher?
What drew me to teaching was curiosity. I have always been a curious person who loves to learn. What better way to keep learning and passing on the love for curiosity than being a teacher?!

Why WIS? What made you want to teach here? Why do you stay?
At WIS I feel seen and validated. My ideas are embraced and as a community we create an environment of learning that fosters acceptance, inclusivity, and diversity.

What is something our community would find surprising or unexpected about you?
Before working in education, I worked as public relations representative for a record label in Puerto Rico.

Current Subjects/Grade Levels
Grades 8 & 10 Math; Grades 11 & 12 IB DP SL Analysis & Approaches

What year did you start teaching at WIS?
2019

What year did you start teaching?
2013

What drew you to teaching? Why did you become a teacher?
After considering graduate school, I chose to take a year off and teach to stay in the realm of education while taking time away from my own studies. Midway through my first year, I realized how much I enjoyed working with students and chose to continue it for a second year. After two years in the classroom, I knew that I wanted to continue my career in education as a teacher.

Why WIS? What made you want to teach here? Why do you stay?
After five years of teaching, I was ready for a change. In looking for a new school, I was drawn to WIS due to its inclusive culture and demand for educational excellence. I appreciate the involvement that students have in our community in shaping the school culture.

What do you find exceptional about the WIS experience, either as a teacher or what you observe in your students?
The WIS educational experience is challenging, especially during the Grades 11 & 12 IB DP program. That said, seeing the faces of students as they make their journey through the two year program is a true testament to their commitment and dedication to WIS, their own education, and their goals for their futures.

What is something our community would find surprising or unexpected about you?
Prior to a recent injury, I averaged running 120 miles per week and have completed multiple marathons and ultra marathons; my longest run was 52 miles.

Is there anything else you would like our community to know about you?
In addition to teaching, I enjoy the opportunity to coach student-athletes. It is a great way to work with students outside the classroom to help improve their fitness in addition to their academics. Here at WIS, I coach the boys soccer program, which has a tradition of success, and I am grateful to continue this for years to come.

Current Subjects/Grade Levels
Grades 10 & 12 English Literature (IB DP Higher Level)

What year did you start teaching at WIS?
2020

What year did you start teaching?
2001

What drew you to teaching? Why did you become a teacher?
I think it runs in my blood. My mom was a teacher and loved her work. Plus, being the oldest of three daughters, I was always teaching my little sisters. As a student, I loved school and learning and had many influential teachers along my educational career that inspired me to go into education.

But maybe more precisely, why do I stay in teaching? The students! Working with teenagers and the complexities that come along with the adolescent years is both exciting and challenging. No two days or classes are ever the same. Engaging learners with a variety of learning styles and helping students achieve is such a rewarding job, and just one of the many reasons why I stay in education.

Why WIS? What made you want to teach here? Why do you stay?
Living in the DMV area for many years, I had read and knew about WIS through its reputation. It was always a school I had admired from afar for its dual language and IB program, and its commitment to outstanding professional development. When I visited, the community of students, faculty, and administrators seemed to admire and respect one another. It drew me in right away. While it wasn't easy starting in the fall of 2020 in a hybrid fashion, it made me appreciate the support of my colleagues and the WIS community even more once we started in-person.

What makes we stay? The engaged students, the supportive colleagues, and the generous community. I have so many opportunities here to grow and learn as a professional through WISSIT, the PDC, and learning groups. Learning doesn't stop at the classroom door for my students or me at WIS, but extends well beyond.

What do you find exceptional about the WIS experience, either as a teacher or what you observe in your students?
One thing I love about WIS, is just when I think I know a student, I learn that they speak a third (or even fourth) language, or are into a K-Pop band, or play for a pre-professional soccer team, or are an exceptional hip hop dancer. WIS students are truly renaissance people, and their interests and abilities never cease to amaze me.

What is something our community would find surprising or unexpected about you?
I am an avid downhill skier. My father was a professional ski instructor and I grew up in Minnesota, so this meant I grew up on skis. In high school I competed on our slalom ski team.To this day, I love to ski and enjoy any chance I get to be out in the snow.

Is there anything else you would like our community to know about you?
As a parent of a Grade 1 student at WIS, it is wonderful to see what education looks like at the very beginning. Watching him form friendships, learn French, and love learning, it is easy to see why there are so many "lifers" here at WIS.

Current Subjects/Grade Levels
Grades 9 &10 English; IB DP Literature I and II, Standard and Higher Levels

What year did you start teaching at WIS?
2019

What year did you start teaching?
1992

What drew you to teaching? Why did you become a teacher?
A recession! I went to China to teach English because the United States had gone into a recession and, as a newly graduated college student, I was not optimistic about job prospects. I found out by heading halfway around the world that I love teaching and could make a decent living doing what I loved.

Why WIS? What made you want to teach here? Why do you stay?
A school nestled among craggy oak trees where students from all over the world discuss critical issues next to the fireplace ... WIS is a dynamic school and innovative on every level, but this picture is why I wanted to teach here and why I stay.

What do you find exceptional about the WIS experience, either as a teacher or what you observe in your students?
Unabashed questioning ... students are accustomed to and comfortable with asking about what is on their minds. They think carefully and are curious about systems and the world.

What is something our community would find surprising or unexpected about you?
I have run the New York Marathon twice, once with colleagues and once with my twin sister. I painfully under-trained the second time because I was busy planning my wedding, so my sister—determined we finish in our 'under five hours' goal—all but dragged me across the finish line in 4:59:51. We made it by nine seconds.

Current Subjects/Grade Levels Taught
Grades 9–12 Narrative Film, Yearbook Photography

What year did you start teaching at WIS?
2023

What year did you start teaching?
2001

What drew you to teaching? Why did you become a teacher?
I think most teachers are motivated to become teachers out of a sense of love or revenge — revenge in the sense that they want to be the teachers they never had. I was pretty underwhelmed by my school experience, and so I strive to be the teacher I never had. 

Why WIS? What made you want to teach here? Why do you stay?
My wife and I fell in love with international teaching. We've worked in Switzerland, Thailand, and Kuwait. WIS, therefore, represented the best of everything because it allowed me to work with my favorite type of school while also allowing my own kids to have a traditional American high school experience.

What do find exceptional about the WIS experience, either as a teacher or what you observe in your students?
The best part of WIS is the students and then the teachers. I've really enjoyed the diversity of WIS. It's like the first season of Star Trek — there's one of everybody.

What is something our community would find surprising or unexpected about you?
In high school, I worked as a knife salesman with the name "Dave 'The Blade' Wade." I've also been a door-to-door salesman, selling No Soliciting Signs. When I was 16, I was hired as the youngest half-Japanese mall Santa in the state of Texas.

Title
Middle School Counselor

What year did you start teaching at WIS?
2014

What year did you start teaching?
2001

What drew you to teaching? Why did you become a teacher?
After teaching for a couple of years, I pursued school counseling because I wanted to connect with and support all students. This role provides a unique vantage point, allowing me to be a consistent, positive influence in young people's lives as they navigate the complexities of growing up. It is incredibly rewarding to witness students discover their strengths and resilience, and there's a particular joy in seeing them work through the challenges they face. Knowing I play a part in their growth, in their ability to overcome, that's what makes this work so meaningful to me.

Why WIS? What made you want to teach here? Why do you stay?
When I returned from working in international schools abroad I knew I wanted to continue working in an international school in the US. I was lucky that a school counseling position opened up at WIS. What keeps me here is being constantly challenged to grow professionally, coupled with the satisfaction of seeing the school evolve and knowing I have played a part in that journey.

What do find exceptional about the WIS experience, either as a teacher or what you observe in your students?
I love that WIS is a place where faculty and staff are so passionate about what they do and where colleagues share ideas, support each other, and celebrate each other's successes.

What is something our community would find surprising or unexpected about you?
I played softball when I was young and my nickname on the team was "crazy legs." To this day I'm really not sure how I earned the nickname, but I loved it.