Emmett serves as Lead Teacher for the Garudas, our fifth-grade class. His charismatic presence and grounded attention to each student are an inspiration in the classroom. We’re thrilled to welcome Emmett to the Middle Way School team.

I hold a Master of Arts in Teaching from Bard College. Before coming to Middle Way School, I worked in both public and private schools, from kindergarten to twelfth grade, teaching English, STEM, math and science. During the summers I also work privately as a tutor and as a summer school teacher where I have specialized in helping at-risk students.

One of my earliest memories is standing in front of my fifth-grade classmates back in Massachusetts, witnessing firsthand the power of language to captivate, connect with and inspire an audience. Since then, I’ve had a passion for storytelling which led me into the worlds of publishing, journalism and finally teaching. Here I’ve found a home, growing alongside new audiences of diverse learners and colleagues. I have built my career at the intersection of language and identity—whether it was founding a literary magazine to amplify new voices, starting a podcast to spread innovative ideas, designing curricula that inspired empathy and autonomy, or building a love of reading and writing to help students communicate and identify their core values. 

My teaching philosophy is rooted in relationships, self-confidence, and community. These values shape the ways we think, learn and work together in all facets of school and life. I strive to create a classroom that honors all paths of inquiry and compassion, drawing on my personal background and deep respect for diverse wisdom traditions. I am grateful every day for the opportunity to help students become lifelong learners and engaged citizens, opening doors to personal and professional growth through critical thinking and literacy. 

When not in the classroom, I use my voice and time to aid in humanitarian efforts and environmentalism. I’m an avid reader and writer, and now enjoy baking and hiking on our local trails with my family: my wife Sarah, and our children Ella, Eli, Finley, and Benny the dog.