The Belmont Hill community welcomes Dr. Daniel DeFraia, an English teacher and soccer coach who brings a wealth of diverse experiences to Belmont Hill. Originally from the Hudson Valley, Dr. DeFraia has followed a unique path that led him to a career in education.
After graduating from high school, Dr. DeFraia explored a variety of careers. He initially worked in the restaurant industry and then shifted to investigative journalism as a Steiger Fellow at the Committee to Protect Journalists, where he worked in their journalist assistance program. Following his stint in journalism, Dr. DeFraia decided to explore a new career path, and he taught for six months in China. He described his time in China as “an interesting adventure,” as he saw how other educational systems worked and how teachers should interact with different kinds of students. Dr. DeFraia noted that his love for discovery, research, and collaborative learning eventually drew him to the classroom. “Teaching is an act of discovery with a group,” he explained. “I love the thrill of answering questions and the detective work that comes with it.” Before Belmont Hill, Dr. DeFraia taught about Journalism and media in American History at Boston University and Emerson College.
Mrs. DeFraia recently began teaching at the International School of Boston, and she recommended that Dr. Defraia apply to teach at local independent schools, ultimately leading him to Belmont Hill. In addition to teaching English, Dr. DeFraia is active in the school’s extracurricular programs. He coaches the Fifth Soccer Team, advises the Debate Club, and will work with The Sextant, Belmont Hill’s biannual literary magazine. Outside of school, Dr. DeFraia plays in a men’s soccer league, researches, writes, and is a father to his two young daughters, Lillian (6) and Gabby (3).
With his passion for education and diverse background, Dr. DeFraia will make a valuable impact on the Belmont Hill community.
