I am a career teacher and coach at both the high school and college levels, having taught Spanish, coached both boys and girls wrestling, and served as World Languages Chair the last 20 years at Winters Mill High School. Before that I coached wrestling at McDaniel college for nine years and taught Developmental English at Carroll Community College. When the Covid-19 shutdown hit us, I took up my writing hobby more seriously, publishing three fiction books on Amazon. The collection is now at five, with a sixth ready to drop in Spring of 2023. I am a member of the Green Terror Athletics Hall of Fame and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. I also announce at events, such as athletic contests, Big 10 and EIWA Wrestling, WM Football games, school shows and coffee houses.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family. Include your pets too!
I live with my wife, Lauren, a physical therapist, and two sons– Hunter, who attends Wilkes University, and Alex, who just finished training at the Academy of Media Production in McSherrystown, PA. We have two cats, two rabbits, a turtle, and my wife is a beekeeper.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I have taught English and/or Spanish and coached wrestling at four high schools and four colleges since I began my career in 1998. I love watching students and athletes progress from novices to experts.
Q: What is one of your favorite quotes or lines in a song and why does it resonate with you?
“For there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so,” from Hamlet. For me, nearly everything is relative–there are very few absolutes in life.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Be kind to others. Learn to serve. Embrace that part of your fate that is unchangeable, and work hard to change what is within your power to change. Never stop learning.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite places or events in our community?
Hashawa, Fall Fest, Flower and Jazz Festival. Art in the Park.
Q: What advice would you give to people living in Westminster or looking to move to Westminster?
A small town feel with big-town access to so very many things. There are a hundred cool day-trips right within driving distance.
Q: What 3 words come to mind when you think of Westminster?
Rural, Old-Fashioned, growing
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
Writing, reading, hiking–anything outdoors–and strength training
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Royal Farms chicken.
Q: What is one of your proudest accomplishments?
Watching my sons pass milestones in their lives; watching my wrestling teams grow and progress.
Q: What is one thing on your bucket list?
Machu Picchu
Q: What would you buy/do if you won the lottery?
A big indoor facility for CCPS athletics, a ranch by a river
Q: What is something even your family and friends may not know about you?
I meditate daily, like to sing in my truck when no one is listening, and occasionally cry at several Kevin Costner movies.
Q: What has been a challenge you have had to overcome? (life, school, work, family, health, etc)
Three total hip replacements and a large blood clot in my leg; the deaths of both parents and parents-in-law.
Q: Who has been a hero in your life?
My Dad, Mom and Uncle. They were from another generation that was able to be simultaneously tough, smart, kind, disciplined, and giving.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where in Westminster would you meet for this lunch?
Morihei Ueshiba–the inventor of Aikido. He had some very deep philosophies about people and interaction–at Rare Opportunities on Main Street. Hand pies and scones.
Q: How can our readers and I know if someone we come in contact with is a good connection for you or a good person for you to meet? Please include your website link if you have one!
jayvielle.com I’m pretty easy going, and a recovering introvert.
