Throughout my career, I have lived a deep commitment to being in service to others and helping students and adults to learn and grow, to identify and capitalize on their strengths, to develop the courage and skills needed to overcome adversity, and to envision and pursue their dreams.
MY COMMITMENT
Prior to retiring as superintendent of Hempfield in January, 2019, I spent the previous 35 years working as a teacher, coach, principal, and district office administrator in three school districts in northern New York and south central PA. Throughout my career, I lived a deep commitment to being in service to others and helping students and adults to learn and grow, to identify and capitalize on their strengths, to develop the courage and skills needed to overcome adversity, and to envision and pursue their dreams.
Shortly after retiring, I opened 1st Light Coaching & Consulting, believing that the dawning of each new day opens the door to new possibilities for personal development and living lives that allow us to become the best versions of ourselves. As an executive/personal development coach, my mission is to help people and organizations stretch and grow the capacities needed to envision more desirable futures, achieve outstanding outcomes, and lead more fulfilling lives.
MISSION
To help people and organizations stretch and grow the capacities needed to envision more desirable futures, achieve outstanding outcomes, and lead more fulfilling lives.
Trained by the internationally renowned Newfield Network, I coach from an ontological perspective that’s intended to shift clients as “observers” of the world of possibilities available to them as leaders and human beings. Depending on stated needs, I help clients navigate the learning domains of language, emotions and moods, and body somatics in order to identify and address challenges, establish goals, and co-create actions and practices designed to promote personal and professional growth and the achievement of client goals and aims.
A typical coaching engagement involves monthly 60-90 minute coaching sessions (face-to-face is ideal, but I do video conferencing as well), the provision of follow-up session summaries (within a week) and supporting resources (throughout the engagement), and client phone or email access to me as needed between sessions. I tailor engagements to meet the needs of the client with respect to how often we meet if a different arrangement makes more sense.
If you are stuck in a breakdown, seeking solutions to difficult challenges, or are looking to grow and could use some assistance, let’s have a conversation about possibilities – I’d love to help!
Are you seeking solutions to difficult challenges? Looking to grow and could use some assistance?
Let’s have a conversation about possibilities!
WHY WORK WITH ME?
A lifetime of learning makes me curious and optimistic about the future and committed to helping others pursue their dreams and become the best versions of themselves they can envision!
+ YEARS
leading processes that generate compelling visions to produce “blueprints” to achieve ambitious organizational aims.
+ YEARS
coaching senior leaders, principals, directors, and other professionals to higher levels of performance.
+ YEARS
developing and leading high-functioning teams that placed a premium on growth mindset, collaboration, and trust.
YEARS
collaborating and engaging with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to design and achieve organizational goals.
BIOGRAPHY
- I served 13 yrs. as a MS/HS school science teacher in the Gouverneur (NY) and Manheim Township School Districts. I also coached multiple sports and advised several student activities
- I served 11 yrs. in assistant principal and building principal roles in the Manheim Township and Hempfield School Districts at the middle/high school levels
- I served 7 yrs. as assistant superintendent and 4 yrs. as superintendent of the Hempfield School District
- I’ve been an Executive/Personal Development Coach serving clients from education and business/industry sectors across PA and Washington D.C. since January 2019
- I have a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from Immaculata University (2005)
- My wife Rita and I have been married for 35 years; we have two grown children (Caitlin and CJ) and are parents to two rambunctious Goldendoodles (Seamus and Fiona ☺)