Education
Background
Working at Rocky Hill
School has provided Steve with a variety of professional opportunities
in addition to his current role as Head of Upper School. Since
arriving at RHS in 1997, he has served as Director of Studies
(2001-present), Dean of Students (1997-2001), English Department
Chair (1997-2000), Teacher (1997-present) and Adviser (1997-present).
During this time, Steve has also served on the Education Committee
of the Community Preparatory School in Providence (2001-present)
as well as a presenter for AISNE (Association of Independent Schools
in New England) conducting Beginning Teacher Institutes each autumn
for individuals just starting their careers as Middle or Upper
School educators.
Prior to working at
RHS, Steve taught at Northampton Public High School in Massachusetts,
St. Andrew's School in Barrington, Rhode Island and Woodstock
Academy in Connecticut. Working in these diverse and distinctly
different learning environments, as well as attending an independent
high school, played an important role in shaping Steve's educational
philosophy and practice.
One of Steve's ongoing
interests involves examining how technology shapes and influences
the world, particularly how technology informs the lives of his
students and their relationships with each other, their teachers
and their families. Aside from the work he conducts with Rocky
Hill School students, parents and faculty in this regard, he also
enjoys discussing the subject with other educators. In addition
to conducting AISNE technology workshops, Steve travelled south
this summer to Memphis, Tennessee with Barbara Streuli (RHS Director
of Technology) and Scott Young (RHS Science Department Chair)
to present at The Laptop Institute, a national think tank for
schools using or considering laptops as a tool for learning.
Educational
Philosophy
Meaningful learning
occurs when students and teachers enter into an authentic partnership
in which participants respect each other and share input in determining
outcomes and assessments. Additionally, while learning should
be active, challenging and rigorous, it should also be joyous
and rewarding. A sense of humor can salve the sting of failure
and provide the inspiration to try again.
Often, successes are
not as frequent or pervasive as either learner or teacher would
like. Teaching, learning, collaborating and risk taking are inherently
difficult. However, writer Wendell Berry observed, “When we no
longer know what to do, we have come to our real work, and, when
we no longer know which way to go, we have begun our real journey.
The mind that is not baffled is not employed. The impeded stream
is one that sings.” The aim of education should not merely be
to arrive at some predetermined destination or “correct” answer
but rather to pursue “bafflement” and areas of uncertainty for
the latter are where the important discoveries are made and learning
occurs.
Interests,
Activities and Plans
Steve is a proud fan
of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. A former
high school hockey player, he is also a fan of the once proud
yet now defunct Hartford Whalers (to hear the Whaler's theme song,
Brass Bonanza , click here
). When time allows, Steve likes nothing more than to lose
himself in a good book. His recent focus has been “foodie” literature,
specifically the work of Ruth Reichl, Michael Ruhlman and Tony
Bourdain. Of course, all this reading has not made him a much
better cook—just a much hungrier one! He is also a fan of the
movies, particularly romantic comedies and sci-fi flics!
On
a Personal Note
Rocky Hill is truly a
“family affair” for Steve and his wife Sarah DuBeau-Farley. In
addition to both serving on the Upper School Faculty (Sarah has
chaired and taught every course in the US science program since
her arrival in 1995), they are also the proud parents of current
RHS Lower School student Sam Farley (Class of 2019) and RHS Preschool
student Elise (Class of 2021).
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Hill Home
updated July, 2006 |
