Meet Dave Barry

“Both my father and mother work in school systems and I’ve always known my life would involve teaching in some way, shape, or form,” says Dave Barry, a recipient of Harvard’s James Bryant Conant Fellowship awarded to outstanding Boston and Cambridge public school administrators and teachers. “I even remember creating a course package for an imaginary kindergarten class when I was nine years old that I still have with me!

“My passion is to understand how kids’ brains work,” continues Dave, whose research focuses on the child-father attachment, particularly on paternal self-esteem and attachment patterns that repeat generation to generation. “It’s why I moved from being an elementary education major to working toward a preK through grade two certification. It’s a big part of my move to Boston, where I’ve been teaching for five years now. Given the student demographics and the urban environment, the Boston Public Schools system offers an extraordinary diversity of cultures, ethnicities, class backgrounds, and types of learners.

“I always knew I needed to earn a master’s degree — it’s a pathway to earning a professional teaching license. But I wanted an education that truly would transform my teaching practices, broaden my thinking about young children, and expand my ability to impact students in more innovative and reflective ways. This program has been an extraordinary choice. It stands out for its sheer flexibility — from the depth and diversity of courses available, to the wealth of interdisciplinary and pedagogical connections, to the sheer breadth of faculty, resources, and opportunities available to students. I’ve had exceptional access to leaders in education and developmental psychology, such as Howard Gardner, and I feel prepared for a variety of different doctoral program options. I’ve also been lucky — my school’s strong support has meant that I actually get to apply the insights and skills I gain here to my current kindergarten classroom.”