This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Q: Do you have any hobbies that you like to do in your free time?
BT: I’m an avid backpacker, so I’m hiking into the Grand Canyon next month to do an overnight in the Grand Canyon. I like to snowboard, and I coach my daughter’s soccer team. I also do like home repairs, and I just moved into a new house in June. This is my first time out of the city, so I am constantly working on projects. I installed the attic door this weekend.
Q: What was your inspiration to go into education ?
BT: High school for me was not awesome. My best friend died when I was a senior, and I did not have a great home life. That time in my life felt really important, so I started as a social worker, Also, my mom is a social worker, and there were a lot of systemic things that I was interested in.
Q: Was becoming an SEL coordinator always your main focus, or were there others areas of education that you were interested in?
BT: Initially, my focus was social work. I really enjoyed providing individual attention and improving each student’s experience of school. While questions [such as: What are the expectations? How do we celebrate successes?] weren’t a focus of mine, they seemed like a natural extension of the main reason I got into education.
Q: What did you know about Barrington before you came here?
BT: In 2000, I took a trip to Cuba through a youth group that was connected to some Barrington families. My first understanding of Barrington was this philanthropic work, and I really vibe with that. Outside of that, I was always aware of Barrington through athletics and extracurriculars.
Q: What is the biggest difference from working at Chicago Public Schools to transitioning to BHS?
BT: This is the first high school I have worked in for long time that is predominantly white. That has honestly taken a little bit of time to get used to. In terms of student demographics, it’s very different, but there is still a ton of diversity here, which I love.
Q: You were an SEL coordinator at CPS, now you are working in Student Support here at BHS. What has the change been?
BT: I don’t feel like the student needs here at Barrington are any less significant or important than the stuff I was dealing with; they’re just different. I have really appreciated getting to build more relationships, especially from an SEL perspective. The work I’m doing to support students is throughout the year as opposed to one off situations.
Q: What are you looking forward to this year?
BT: I’m really looking forward to being a part of the school community. I’ve enjoyed going to the football games. I’ve enjoyed getting to know everybody at the homecoming dance. I’m looking forward to finishing up the year, finding a better understanding of the whole building and continuing to find my place in the community.
Q: Are you excited to kind of begin this new chapter of your life and your career?
BT: Yeah, I’m 44 years old. I have experienced lots of changes and shifts, and I would love to retire from Barrington. I feel really lucky. There’s a lot of educators who would like to be in this school district and in a school like this, and I feel really fortunate that I have the opportunity to be here.
