Education
- Rocky Hill School, '70
- University of Rhode Island, BS, Zoology, '75
- Harvard University, Ed.M., '84
Background
- An alumnus
of Rocky Hill School, Jim graduated in 1970 as class valedictorian.
One of his greatest honors was to receive the School's highest
award, the Mauran Bowl, at Commencement. Inspired by the dedicated
and caring teachers and coaches, he considers his years at Rocky
Hill a remarkable experience in his life. Jim brings an incredible
amount of experience in all facets of independent school life,
along with strong leadership skills, clear vision and devotion
to his alma mater.
- As an educator, and someone who actually grew up on an independent
school campus from early childhood, many of Jim's personal and
professional experiences blend together, and reinforce the essence
of who he is, and continues to become. His extensive background
in the competitive world of sailboat racing at the highest levels,
world travel and roles as teacher, coach, parent, adviser, trustee,
husband, and headmaster have all inter-connected to provide Jim
with a strong sense of his role as a leading educator.
Experience:
Administration/Teaching/Coaching
- Moses Brown School, Rhode Island, '77-'83
Director of the Summer
School, Biology Teacher, and Coach of Varsity Basketball and Sailing
- Harvard University, Cambridge '83-'84
Assistant Coach, Men's
Varsity Basketball and Sailing
- Brewster Academy, New Hampshire '84-'87
Director of Admissions
and Financial Aid & Director of Development
- Bancroft School, Massachusetts '87-'90
Head of the Middle School
- Bridgton Academy, Maine '90-'95
Headmaster
Philosophy
of Education
Jim believes that students learn best when personally engaged
in their learning. Today, there is a greater need for our students
to emerge from school as self-advocates in their education. We
are preparing young people to assume roles in a world which is
undergoing rapid change. The combination of experiential learning
opportunities, coupled with classes that are dynamic and challenging,
while encouraging students to take responsibility for their thoughts
and actions, are critical for the development of life skills.
Jim believes that his own experiences have clearly shaped his
core values and beliefs as an educator, and Rocky Hill School
reflects those educational beliefs.
Interests
and Activities
Jim is an avid competitive
and recreational sailor. He learned to sail on the Potowomut River
at Rocky Hill Camp and the experience launched a life-long passion
for the sport. He has participated in more than fifty offshore
races, including the Newport and Marion/Bermuda races, Southern
Ocean Racing Circuit and the Stamford Vineyard Races. He hopes
to race his newly restored Shields, Warrior, this summer,
in Newport.
Integral to his love
for sailing as well as for history, Jim is a member of the New
York Yacht Club, East Greenwich Yacht Club and the Harvard Club.
He serves on the Board of Advisors for the International
Yacht Restoration School. Also reflecting his passion
for history, and in honor of his early family heritage in the
state of RI, Jim is a member of the Society of the Colonial
Wars.
On
a Personal Note
Jim
shares his passion for sailing and his commitment to education
and family with his wife, Jama. Together,
they look forward to embarking on an extended sailing adventure
sometime in the future.
They
have raised two charming and beautiful young women, Lindsay
and Barre Blake who are, in their own right, the epitome
of self-advocates and life-long learners. Lindsay works
for Carat Fusion in NYC and Barre, a recent MBA graduate,
works for GE Advanced Materials in Birmingham, Michigan. |
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And, of course, there's Jake, resident self-advocate
and life-long scrounger. At ninety one, he's still a playful
pleasure to be seen roaming the campus looking for friends
and the latest treat. |
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Hill Home Page
Revised
January 17, 2006 |
