Meet the Faculty: Rob O’Blenis AKA “Mr. O”

Warm, funny, and very devoted to Brewster and its community, Rob O’Blenis joined the faculty in 2005 as an Instructional Support teacher. Since then, this Litchfield, New Hampshire native has taught every grade level, coached, worked as a CLP (Community Living Parent), and served as Director of Residential Life and Assistant Dean of Students for the lower school. Last February, you also found him emceeing the Winter Carnival Lip Sync competition in the persona of his alter ego, TV’s Ted Lasso! This year he has taken on another important role: Team Leader for the 9th grade. We sat down with Mr. O to learn more about what’s happening in his life, and his thoughts on filling the shoes of the now-retired (and highly admired!) Laura Cooper. 

Q. You’re the Team Lead now for the first time, and you’re leading our awesome 9th graders! What do you admire about your predecessor, Laura Cooper, and what do you hope to continue with the 9th graders?

A. In working on Laura’s team multiple times while she was here at Brewster, I always admired how she could switch proverbial hats on a moment’s notice. One minute she would be teaching, the next running a fun Team with students, and then sitting down to have a serious conversation with a student who might need some guidance. She did all of those with grace and poise. She never got rattled or let her frustrations boil over to make a moment with a student or colleague ineffective. In taking over I hope to continue instilling in the 9th graders the pride of being “Lifers” at Brewster. And most of all, we are going to keep the 9th-grade team motto! This year’s is, “Do your part, find courage in your heart!” And I love that we get to share all the things that make Brewster special with the 9th grade. Without any returning students on our team, we have to be very intentional about giving the kids all the insight to Brewster and its traditions.

Q. What’s your favorite Brewster tradition?

A. That would be Winter Carnival. Even though the freshmen never win (and I certainly don’t intend to strive to change that! LOL!), it is always a great week to bring the community together and for the Team to work on challenges outside the classroom.

Q. You bring so much experience to your new role, including coaching. Please remind us of all the teams you have coached over the years?

A. I have coached JV Baseball, Girls’ JV Basketball, and Sailing.

Q. And you’ve been a CLP through the years, too, raising your own family with your wife, Dawn, on campus alongside the students. What are your daughters up to? 

A. That’s right, we live in Toad Hall. Our eldest daughter, Madelaine ’22, is studying Economics at the University of Richmond, but is currently on a semester abroad at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland where her good friend Vera Zavlavsky (also Brewster Class of 2022) attends full-time. Lauren is in 11th grade and being homeschooled as she maintains a high-level dance schedule six days a week. And Bree is in 7th grade, hoping in a couple of years to play soccer for Coach Butcher and basketball for Coach Kimball! 

Q. There are some furry friends in your household too, right?

A. We have Cully, our five-year-old mixed breed that we adopted from the Humane Society, and Jack our two-year-old indoor tabby cat. 

Q. As if your schedule wasn’t already packed, we hear you’re in a Master’s program now.

A. That’s right, I have my Bachelor’s degree in Early American History from UNH, and I’m currently in the last year of my Master’s in Education program online at Liberty University. 

Q. When you do get a bit of free time, how do you like to spend it?

A. I cherish spending time with Dawn, my wife of 25 years. We watch comedy TV and British mysteries, follow the Celtics, and cook for each other when we are not working or parenting. Batman (Michael Keaton in the 1989 Tim Burton adaptation is still the best) and golf are my personal interests. 

Q. Good luck in the new Team Leader role this year. It already looks like your students are thriving. That must feel great.

A. Since the first year that I was at Brewster, I have seen and valued the crucial job of the Team Leaders here at Brewster. I am very grateful to be given the opportunity to fulfill this important role and particularly inherit it from someone that I will always consider one of my mentors, Laura Cooper.