Teacher Feature | Introducing Brian J.
At Pacific Preparatory, we are so lucky to work with the most thoughtful and inspiring instructors, all who bring lessons to life with engaging connections to student interests and their community. This month, we are excited to introduce Brian!
Meet Brian (he/him)! Brian holds an M.Ed with an English teaching credential and a B.A. in English Literature. He has been teaching English, theater, and student government to high school students since 2012. Brian prides himself on meeting every student at their unique mastery level and establishing genuine rapport with his students in an interactive and vibrant learning environment. After graduating with distinction from California State University, Northridge with a B.A., Brian was commissioned as a U.S. Naval officer. He went on to serve overseas in five partner nations and in Washington DC. Upon completing eight years of duty, he transitioned into the high school classroom pursuing his M.Ed from National University with an integrated single-subject credential in English. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his terrier, watching any British drama production, and traveling abroad whenever possible.
What’s your favorite subject to teach and why?
I love teaching English Language Arts, specifically rhetoric, oration, and theatrical production. There is no greater joy than to see a young person learn to confidently speak in public, take command of a room, and seize the opportunity to change hearts and minds. With ELA, I am an instructor and a learner simultaneously, and it’s nothing short of a privilege to be a part of this profession.
What is your favorite activity to do outside of teaching?
Outside of teaching, you will find me on a travel booking website planning my next trip outside of the USA. I’ve spent time living in and traveling to countries all over the world, and consider it my greatest preparation for teaching literature, writing, and speech. Through Pacific Preparatory, I am able to teach students who live in all 50 states, as well as our middle and highschoolers who currently live abroad – all while I’m jet setting myself.
What do you enjoy most about teaching with Pacific Preparatory?
Primary and secondary school was never meant to be 30+ students being taught by one teacher. So there is simply no comparison between the one-on-one Pacific Preparatory setting versus what traditional classrooms have to offer. Students need dedicated attention for more than one minute at a time! In my role at PacPrep, I am able to spend one straight hour of time with a student – which is just what Socrates advocated for the most – and the benefits are palpable. For me, there is no going back to traditional teaching, and routinely I catch myself thinking “if only I had gone to a school like this, I myself would have had a better and more meaningful experience in high school”...
How did any misconceptions of virtual 1:1 learning compare to the reality?
I came into this with the misconception that students would not take our studies seriously – simply due to its virtual nature. For example, as classroom teachers during the pandemic school shutdowns, it was exceptionally difficult for us to keep students fully engaged and focused via zoom. However, that simply isn’t the case in a formal one-on-one virtual environment. My PacPrep students come to class on time and are ready to work for the entire session, and the virtual nature of our session blends into the background.
Brian, we and your students are so lucky to have you on our team!