As a dedicated husband and father of three girls, I know firsthand the joys and challenges of raising a family. My family thrives in nature, especially during our beach-filled summers, and I bring this same spirit of adventure and connection into my work.
Deeply rooted in my local community, I am committed to creating inclusive, safe environments where every individual can find success, fulfillment, and joy in learning.
Throughout my expansive career, I’ve focused on empowering children and families in adolescent development, teaching and special education.
My teaching style is dynamic, compelling, and innovative—always tailored to the unique needs and interests of each student.
I believe in making learning personal and meaningful, drawing from my vast database of lesson plans that allow me to adapt and customize every session for maximum engagement and growth.
My goal is to create tailored plans that build confidence while presenting age and grade-appropriate challenges, ultimately making learning fun, challenging and engaging.
My Story:
My journey as an educator and advocate began long before I set foot in a classroom. My earliest days as a US Marine instilled in me the values of discipline, resilience, and service to others—qualities that have guided me throughout my life and career.
After my service, I discovered my passion for teaching and mentoring young people. After graduating Summa Cum Laude from SUNY Oswego, I started my education career at a private school, where I worked closely with students from diverse backgrounds. My experiences there deepened my commitment to helping every child succeed, no matter their challenges. After earning my MS.Education, I was recruited and joined a nationally recognized top 100 school.
Briarcliff Manor High School is where I had the privilege of mentoring young teens, chairing the special education department, coaching three different sports, and serving as an advisor to several extracurricular clubs. Along the way, I mentored many young teachers and nights I taught as an adjunct professor, sharing my love of learning and leadership with the next generation of educators.
After a rewarding career in the classroom and beyond, I retired from traditional teaching to create Advance AcademicAlly. My mission is simple: to provide personalized, one-on-one or small group support to students and families, helping each child discover their strengths and reach their full potential.
Today, I bring all of my experience—from the discipline of the Marine Corps to the compassion of the classroom—to every student I work with. I’m honored to be your family’s ally on the journey to learning, growth, and success.
credentials:
I hold a Master’s in Education degree as well as teaching certifications in NYS and CT in the following areas: Special Education, Social Studies and English.
In addition, I have a NYS addendum to my certification in Adolescent Coaching and extensive coursework in Mentoring Adolescents, Adolescent Counseling and Executive Function Coaching.
I am CPR trained and certified as well as NYS and CT Athletic Coaching Certification.
With over 30 years of teaching experience, I have also completed advanced training in executive function coaching.
I am also a Member in Good Standing of the following organizations:
1) Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) - The leading association for independent educational consultants, offering professional development, resources, and a directory for families seeking expert guidance.
2) Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA) - Focused on independent consultants working with high school students on college admissions, HECA emphasizes ethics, standards, and ongoing education.
3) Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) - The premier association for special education professionals, offering research, professional development, and advocacy resources for those supporting students with disabilities.
4) Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) - A national network for advocates and attorneys working on behalf of students with disabilities and their families, providing resources, training, and a referral directory.
5) International Coaching Federation (ICF) - The gold standard for professional coaches across disciplines, including educational and executive function coaching, with global recognition and rigorous credentialing.
6) MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership - The leading organization advancing youth mentoring in the U.S., offering research, advocacy, and a national network to support quality mentoring.
Awards I’ve Earned in my 30 years in Education:
1) Recognition for outstanding classroom teaching and for dedication, innovation, and impact on student learning.
2) Recognition for outstanding advocacy on behalf of students with disabilities in both NYS and CT.
3) Leadership Award in 1998, 1999, 2004, 2010, 2014. For excellence in school leadership and service to the students and district.
4) Recognition for Athletic Coaching Excellence, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012
5) Outstanding Mentor Award, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2020, 2021
6) National Mentoring Partnership Award
You’re probably asking yourself, What sets him apart from others?
Let my extensive experience and my credentials do the talking, and rest assured, my commitment to service is resolute.
My Experience:
I’ve been a NYS certified educator for over 30 years in one of the top 100 schools in the nation. I was part of a Special Education department that was innovative, adaptable and worked with some incredibly difficult issues to create a cohesive program for our neediest kids.
As a consultant and adolescent coach, I held professional development seminars, lectured at Pace University, mentored student teachers and helped create assessments to help our most talented young people enter into Special Education! Working with young people, I helped them navigate through profound interpersonal issues stemming from the complexities of our current society.
I bring a deep understanding of pedagogy, and adolescent development which allows me to assess and address your child’s specific needs.
My 30 years as an educational leader gives me the ability to mentor adolescents by providing a wealth of experiential knowledge, a deep understanding of the educational landscape, and the skills necessary to guide them through the crucial and sometimes difficult stages of adolescence.
My credentials:
MS.Ed Special Education
Special Services Endorsement: Adolescent Counseling
NYS/CT Certified SPED and Gen Ed teacher (Social Studies and Secondary Education 7-12,)
USMC Graduate of NCO School of Logistics/Leadership
ICF Certified Professional Coach
organizations:
American Counseling Association
Council for Exceptional Children
COPPA Certified
ICF Certified
National Association of Special Ed Teachers
NYSPHSAA Certified Coach Football/Baseball/Softball