Favorite gym unit to teach? Fitness center.

Favorite sport to watch and favorite to play? College basketball; Basketball.

What is your student pet peeve? Not participating in class.

What inspires you to coach high school sports? Having a positive impact on student’s lives.

What’s a fun fact about yourself? I was born in Texas.

What’s your favorite athletic brand? Nike.

What’s something most people don’t know about you? I enjoy reading— phonetically. 

What do you do with your summers? I run a sleepaway camp in Maine.

What made you want to become a gym teacher? Being able to have the summers off to run my camp.

What would you be doing if you weren’t a gym teacher? Finance.

Do you have any kids? If so, how many? 3 kids: Hunter, Brody, Austin.

Favorite song? Hypnotize by Biggie.

What was your dream job at 5 years old? Professional football player.

If you could teach another class, what would you teach? Business.

How do you think social media influences teenagers? It wastes too much time.

What do you want to accomplish by age 75? Health and wealth.

How many states have you been to? 18.

Biggest fear? Not being a good dad.

Winter or summer sports? Winter.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Reading minds.

What gym game are you? Dodgeball.

Most memorable moment teaching? When one of my elementary students later had me in high school and gave me a note they meant to give to me while they were in elementary school.

What’s your astrological sign, and do you believe in astrology? Libra; I feel like I am a Libra. My horoscopes are usually pretty accurate.

Favorite hobby? Hiking and going to aquariums.

Breakfast, lunch or dinner? I eat 6 well-balanced meals a day.

What’s your Starbucks order? Venti americano with an extra shot of espresso.

What type of teammate is the rest of the gym department? 

Zappala: The hard-worker.

Saccio: Intense.

Swenson: The fun one.

Fish: An all-around good guy.

Kail: Motivator.

Galano: Loyal.

What question do you wish we asked you?

Q: What is the biggest lesson your mother taught you? 

A: Take responsibility for your own actions. In 4th grade, my mother bailed me out after writing some profanities on the bathroom wall, and since that day, she has never bailed me out again. She will often remind me of that day and how I have to be responsible for what I do. 

Favorite gym unit to teach? Meditation & Yoga.

Favorite sport to watch and favorite to play? Football; Tennis.

What is your student pet peeve? Lying.

What inspires you to coach high school sports? Inspiring people to be better.

What’s a fun fact about yourself? I’ve gone skydiving twice!

What’s your favorite athletic brand? Nike.

What’s something most people don’t know about you? I was a tour guide at the Olympic Training Center.

What do you do with your summers? Travel; I’ve been all around Europe, I’ve gone backpacking before, and I love exploring many amazing places. I also love spending time with my kids. 

What made you want to become a gym teacher? My dad and grandpa were both gym teachers; I also wanted to be able to work with kids.

What would you be doing if you weren’t a gym teacher? Nutritionist.

Do you have any kids? If so, how many? 2: Evan and Abby.

Favorite song? Another One Bites the Dust by Queen.

What was your dream job at 5 years old? Ice Cream Store Owner 

If you could teach another class, what would you teach? Photography. 

How do you think social media influences teenagers? There are pros and cons, but it is a net negative impact.

What do you want to accomplish by age 75? Learning to play Mahjong, learning to sew, and becoming better at photography.

How many states have you been to? Around 40; Alaska is at the top of my list for next states to travel to.

Biggest fear? Not making my kids happy. 

Winter or summer sports? Summer.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Invisibility. 

What gym game are you? Pin City.

Most memorable moment teaching? When I was coaching lacrosse and helped change a student’s perspective on their own ability to succeed in a position.

What’s your astrological sign, and do you believe in astrology? Gemini; Yes, I’m very much a Gemini.

Favorite hobby? Tennis and golf. 

Breakfast, lunch or dinner? Breakfast.

What’s your Starbucks order? Honey mint peach tea.

What type of teammate is the rest of the gym department? 

Zappala: Someone who goes the extra mile.

Saccio: The influence.

Swenson: Playbook writer.

Fish: Reliable teammate.

Kail: The trustworthy one.

Galano: The behind the scenes team manager. 

What question do you wish we asked you?

Q: What is the biggest lesson you have learned in life? 

A: I lost my fiancé in Operation Iraqi Freedom; He helped teach me about the importance of contributing to something bigger than yourself.