English, Film, English Department Head

I grew up in Ireland and Australia, and completed a BA at the University of Queensland, with a double major in English literature and a major in philosophy. I also studied Italian language and art history in Florence. I have worked as a teacher at The Marin School for nine years. I also taught in Brisbane, Australia, at St Peter’s Lutheran College and Boggo Road Maximum Security Prison. I have worked as a freelance journalist, a literary editor, a musician, a film location scout, an Italian language teacher and a factory hand (the Hemingway/Kerouac career plan).

My favorite high school history teacher, John Terry, opened my eyes to the connections between school and the real world. My favorite college professor, Deanne Welles, illuminated the vital connection between thought and action. Studying for a semester in the beautiful and historic city of Florence was the most inspiring, fun and influential educational experience I’ve had -- an adventure in knowledge and beauty that defined for me why life is worth living.

My wife, Hiromi, and daughter, Eva, are my greatest inspirations. I’m also inspired by curiosity, and have traveled the world to satisfy that curiosity. Romanesque architecture, Renaissance painting, Baroque music inspire me, but also the Beatles, 70s punk, French New Wave cinema, Hemingway and James Joyce, Flaubert and Chekhov, Noh theatre and French wine, Chinese philosophy and Chicago Blues, the list is long…

TMS offers me the freedom to teach in ways that actually work, both for students and teachers. The Bay Area is one of the most creative places on the planet, in both the arts and sciences, and at TMS I get to connect my students with all sorts of dynamic and interesting people and organizations. I’d love to keep developing that sort of interdisciplinary, globally-connected school, embracing partnerships with other schools and organizations around Marin, the Bay Area and the whole world.

English/Film core classes and English/Film elective classes