Languages, literature and global exploration have always been the driving forces in Don’s life. Having lived on three different continents, his international journey began early. Even as a high school student attending classes in the U.S. Embassy in Moscow during the turbulent aftermath of the 1991 coup, his natural academic curiosity took over - often finding him quietly exploring Spanish literature independently. That early passion evolved into a deep academic and professional pursuit.

Today, Don is fully trilingual and brings advanced graduate-level expertise to both the French and Spanish classrooms. He holds a B.A. in Spanish Literature with a minor in French from Brooklyn College, and a Master’s degree in Latin American Studies from Georgetown University. Furthering his scholarship, he utilized French as his second language of expertise within the Comparative Literature Ph.D. program at the CUNY Graduate Center. Don's teaching is backed by true cultural immersion, and most recently, he channeled his entrepreneurial spirit into owning and operating a successful kombucha brewery on his family’s farm in Pennsylvania.

As a former Division I swimmer, Don is no stranger to the dedication required for high-level athletics while balancing academics, making him an incredible fit for our community. Last year, he relocated to Vermont, bought a small barn to renovate in Proctorsville and joined the Ski Patrol at Okemo.

Joining the KMS faculty is the perfect convergence of Don's greatest passions. He is “incredibly stoked to share the linguistic keys to unlocking the world with driven young student-athletes who already have the world at their feet.” When he isn’t in the classroom, you’ll likely find him out on the mountain, teaching yoga or perhaps in the trampoline room.