Faculty of the Week: Brandon Thomas

By Hannah Dirsa, Sheala Iacobucci, Erin Sackey, Jacqueline Subkhanberdina

You’ve probably seen him on the paths of Exeter, spreading his energy like a tidal wave. Some days he’s flying through the paths on his scooter. Others, he’s sitting on the bench outside Webster, chatting about the latest sneaker release with one of his students. Even if you’ve never formally met him, you’ve might have already heard about his good vibes and welcoming presence: Health Instructor Brandon Thomas is ubiquitous with the best parts of Exeter's culture. Whether you need advice or a good laugh, he’s the kind of person you can always depend on.

Thomas says that his inspiration as a teacher, more than anything, comes from his students. “I want to show up and be the best for my [students] every day because I feel like they show up, and they give me everything that they have, and it would be disrespectful of me to not put everything I have into this,” Thomas said.

According to Thomas, the most fulfilling part of his job is “just knowing people may leave my class in a better space, feeling better about themselves, feeling as if they've gained access to things they hadn't had before. I think that's my medicine.”

Many students love Thomas’s expressive identity, as well as his emphasis on inclusion and providing a welcoming space. “He brings a really positive kind of playful energy,” Lower and Webster Hall resident Sam Creelan said. “With intense school and stuff, it’s nice to just have a faculty member that's always there.”

“Mr. Thomas brings an incredibly positive energy which I feel encourages students themselves to match it and be positive in their learning,” Prep Will Simpson said. “His ability to keep a class engaging and interesting is unmatched.”

“I think a lot of times we're always looking for ways in which to connect with people and I feel like the way in which I experienced the world, I'm always looking for another way to build a relationship,” Thomas explained. “My job is to kind of bring people in and pull people in to make them dig deep and figure themselves out, and so however I can use my experiences to connect this is what I'm trying to do.

“He was my prep fall Health class teacher, and I think he was my only teacher at the time that was not white,” Upper Ethan Aguilar recounted about his transition into the Exeter community. “Those few people who are in those teaching positions at Exeter who are people of color sort of helped me feel comfortable.” In the classroom, Aguilar spoke of Thomas’ dedication to teaching and said that “sensing that passion is amazing. And it makes you just want to do better in the class.”

Aguilar also recalled an important learning moment from Thomas, who was his football coach, at a game against Deerfield. “I was just getting blown by all the receivers lining up against me. But he still kept me in,” Aguilar said. “He wanted me to learn what it's actually like playing on the varsity field. And then, like those next three games, I actually played really well. I deserved that rude awakening, because he knows how to teach.”

Lower and Webster Hall resident Riches Afolabi expressed a similar appreciation for Thomas’ willingness to help Exonians. “I think there's a big emphasis on the fact that he looks like me. And when I first came to Exeter, he was the only [dorm faculty member] that looked like me, so I was able to relate with him in ways that I couldn’t relate to with my advisor,” Afolabi said. Afolabi added that Thomas is “just a great member of the community. [He’s] always trying to better somebody, always trying to better everybody else around him, and make everybody around him feel safe.”

“He's kind of like that bridge that you need when you're first coming to a new school.” Creelan added. “And he's really good at that...he's a totally unique faculty member that’s friends with kids and friends with faculty. He just brings positive energy constantly.”

This energy also is noticed by faculty and staff, according to Religion Instructor Austin Washington. “Whether that be something as simple as just saying ‘hello’ as our paths crossed, or coming to talk with me while serving an on-call shift at Webster, Mr. Thomas has made a great effort to get to know who I am. I am not ashamed to say that I am doing my best to emulate Mr. Thomas’ openness to conversation!” Washington said.

When Thomas isn’t learning about and engaging in conversation about people’s lives, he’s usually enjoying their food. “I feel like I experience the world through my palate. So I really try to focus in on tasting as much of the world as I can,” he said. When reflecting on the recent attention to the Black Lives Matter Movement and his work through Community Table, Thomas emphasized the need for standing in solidarity across cultures. “I think distance breeds fear, and proximity breeds a level of closeness. I figured, if we can experience food together and learn about each other's cultures together, then we can really build lasting relationships.”

Senior and Community Table member Emily Kang recalled all the ways in which they connect with food. “We had a cooking lesson with his aunt, created a meal together, had Ms. Peterson as a guest to talk about food justice... he also gives us yummy food every week!” Kang said. “He is super passionate about creating interesting meetings for us and allowing our group to learn everything we can and want to know about food.”

When Thomas is seen on campus, he is instantly recognizable thanks to his colorful beanies and one of his most notable passions: his sneakers. “He has a lot of really nice sneakers. I've seen those pretty insane ones that he lines up in the hallway,” Creelan said.

According to Thomas, his love for sneakers stemmed from his childhood. “I remember being a kid and my older brothers were into shoes, and they would go to the mall and stand in line at like 6 a.m. to try to get shoes. And ever since then we always really wanted them.”

“I always told myself when I get a job, and I got enough money, I'm gonna get all the sneakers I want,” Thomas continued. “Now I actually get to live that dream.”

Thomas is living out his other long-held aspiration, which is traveling the world. “You can read as much as we want in a book, we can listen to as many things as someone tells us, but until we actually go and experience that place for ourselves, we never truly know,” Thomas said.

“I think I'm up to 24 countries at this point. You know, every single place I've been to, I think I've learned a little bit more. And I think the way in which I approach life, the world and my job is directly influenced by the things I'm able to see. I feel like if I can see something and be a better person, I could give that to everybody,” Thomas added.

Thomas’ emphasis on authenticity has pushed him into a life of exploration and discovery, lending him a vast cultural dialogue.“I feel like I am more empathetic, more understanding, and a bit more cultured every time I go to a different place. My job is directly influenced by the things I'm able to see, and I feel like if I can see something and be a better person, I could give that to everybody.”

Thomas considers reaching out to his students, and being able to express outward compassion that he has experienced worldwide to be one of the most important aspects of his work. “People don't care what you know until they know that you care. And if you know I care about you, the way in which you approach me or allow me into your life will be completely different,” he said.

This has not gone unnoticed by the entire Academy community. “[Thomas is] honestly one of my favorite teachers here.” Aguilar said. “I know that I'll remember him and what he did for me to like my time here, especially going off into college because I know that me and him will stay in touch. Mr. Thomas is going to be one of those few teachers that you remember once you grow up.”