"One of the ways I look at education, any education, is that it's a way of acquiring metaphorical keys. If Life is hallways with locked rooms throughout the hallways' lengths, the keys we collect can be used to unlock the doors. The more we learn, the more experiences we have, the more keys we get, the more doors we can unlock and the more rooms we can go into. Take a class in Chinese philosophy or learn how to use an arc welder and get keys to rooms otherwise inaccessible. In essence, the more experiences we have, the more choices we get for deciding how we live our lives.

"I lived in Kuwait for the first six months of 1994. While there, I was given the chance to volunteer in 1st and 3rd grade classrooms. I had a blast and came away knowing I wanted to teach. By 1996, I was enrolled at Antioch New England Graduate School and on my way to becoming a teacher.

"Teaching has given me the meaning I was looking for in my life. I was missing a 'higher' purposefulness. Teaching has allowed me the opportunity to give back; I enjoy providing meaningful experiences to my students and sharing what I know. I strive to provide a meandering stream where kids can follow their interests while staying within firm banks that keep them focused and safe. I help my kids acquire skills useful to constructing experiences they feel are important. Kids are able to work independently and in groups of mixed abilities and ages. Toddy Pond School is a wonderful fit for me as it's a place that encourages just such educational experiences. These past two years at Toddy Pond have been wonderful ones for me."

Jon is also a whitewater raft guide, and has visited such far off places as India and Kuwait.