As his car skidded out and crashed into a tree at 3 a.m. during the first week of school, Nicholas O’Brien contemplated if moving across the country was the best idea. Mr. O’Brien moved 3,000 miles to the small town of Ojai, California from his hometown of Watertown, Connecticut, eager to start a new chapter of his life.
Mr. O’Brien grew up in Watertown, a semi-small town in west Connecticut, with one older sister. He loves math and the outdoors, which is one reason OVS intrigued him.
“I always say I have no hobbies because I just love to work, like work is my hobby,” Mr. O’Brien said when explaining his passion for math and hard work.
His first teaching job was at an urban high school in Connecticut called East Urban High School. Then, he switched to a Title I school, Waterbury, where he benefited from teacher loan forgiveness.
Although he started in public school to gain experience and stay close to home, Mr. O’Brien always knew he eventually wanted to end up in a private school. He has six job titles at OVS and teaches three classes, AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC, and Algebra 2. AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, Algebra 2, Track Coach, Resident Counselor, Math Department Chair
During the interview process at Ojai Valley School, Kirste Williams–the head of the Learning Center and a teacher on the administrative team–had the pleasure of interviewing him. According to Mrs. Williams, Mr. O’Brien stood out from the other candidates due to his bright personality and extensive range of knowledge in math.
“He was able to teach a lot of levels… which really helped because he could provide us what we needed,” said Mrs. Williams.
Mr. O’Brien is a valuable addition to our faculty and will fit in well. Mrs. Williams described his energy as “positive and bubbly, ” sure to bring smiles to campus.
He wasn’t all smiles however as the tow truck pulled his car away and he realized his car was gone forever, the result of him trying to avoid an animal on the road.
“I got really sad, and said bye bud, and I almost cried,” he said.
Despite the setback he’s jumping back into teaching and is ready to continue the year.
“Even though the year had a bumpy start I’m excited to continue to get to know all the students and faculty,” he said.