TC: What brought you to NDB?

JD: Having a daughter here kind of introduced me to the culture of Notre Dame, and I just kind of fell in love with it. Everybody’s always so friendly. Everybody feels so welcome and included. And also professionally, I’m fearing my retirement, and I’ve never taught high school, and so coming from a junior high experience and kind of wanting to do some of my own personal growth so that I can end my career in high school and give something new a try and continue to challenge myself.

TC: What do you want your students to know about you right away?  

JD: I want them to know that I am another trusted adult for them, someone that can be a mentor and can help them. I also want them to know that I am here for them to help them. I want them to know that it’s important to have an open line of communication between teacher and student, and just overall, know that you know we’re going to be a team.

TC: What is your philosophy/style of teaching/ do you have a unique way of teaching?

JD: Invading into collaboration and skills-based, teaching students skills. I’m not into memorization. Moving away from knowing, just kind of the factoids into teaching skills that can be applied throughout the rest of their lives.

TC: Is there something you’re looking forward to during your first year at NDB?

JD: [I’m] looking forward to adjusting to the culture, just into getting into the rhythm. I’m looking forward to collaborating with my team and getting to know all of the faculty, and then getting to know more students, just building new relationships.