I was born in Hong Kong to a British father whose family spent over thirty-five years in Southeast Asia, and a Russian mother whose family spent over thirty-seven years in China.
I moved to California at the age of 8, and grew up in Glendale, California.
I earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri and taught in the Springfield Unified School District for two years.
After completing my first master’s degree in English Education–also from Drury–I returned to Southern California in 1998 to teach English in the Los Angeles Unified School District at Charles Maclay Middle School in Pacoima.
After a year there, it was on to teach English at Ensign Middle School in Newport Beach. While there, I earned my second master’s degree in Administration from Cal State Fullerton.
My first administration position was at Estancia High School in 2003 where I served as an assistant principal.
In 2006 I moved on to Laguna Hills High School in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District where I served as an assistant principal for two years.
In 2008, I was subsequently named principal of Laguna Hills High, a position I held for the next 5 years.
After many wonderful years at the “Home of the Hawks” in Laguna Hills, it was back to Newport-Mesa Unified and Newport Harbor High School!
I’m currently entering my eleventh year as Principal of Newport Harbor-I earned an Education Doctorate Degree from Grand Canyon University April of 2017. I’ve also been teaching at Concordia University, Irvine for two-years, and am loving this life-giving journey of working with the future of America!
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I’ve been married to Sarah for twenty-two years, and have two children who are incoming juniors at Newport Harbor High School-Stephen and Stella Boulton.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I’ve been in education since 1996, and working with young adults molding them into contributing members of society is an incredibly rewarding yet psychologically exhausting experience.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
The Cannery and Galley Cafe.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
24 years.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Michael Fong
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Slumdog Millionaire and Ted Lasso
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Don’t take any advice, learn to follow your heart/mind/soul. Start to listen to your voice.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
London, England. My dad was from there, and it is truly the world’s city.
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 locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
George W. Bush or Barack Obama. They ushered in the 2000’s, and had to deal with a rapidly changing America on many fronts. I truly believe they both love this country, its ideals, and the people that live in it. Malarky’s Irish Pub.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The people. There are some of the best human beings on earth that live here.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
A Superintendent of Schools somewhere.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I have a 3.2 handicap in golf.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The educational community of Newport Harbor High School–a group of imperfect humans trying to raise a group of imperfect young adults. Somehow, it all works.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Dr. Wes Smith, Newport-Mesa Unified School District superintendent of schools. He leads with his soul, not afraid of being his true self, and really does want the best for everyone.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Love, share, safe
