Occupation: I am a teacher, social worker, and divorce mediator. I have been a teacher for 16 years. For the last six years I have taught a special education Transitional Learning Program at Central High School (in Bridgeport). I have been a social worker for four years, and use my training in my work in school and in divorce mediation. I will be a therapist at the Connecticut Institute of Psychosynthesis in Stratford beginning next month. I received my bachelor of arts in creative arts and theater at Antioch College, my master of science in special education and sixth year at Southern Connecticut State University, and my MSW from Fordham. I was awarded my licensed clinical social work certification this year.

How Long in Newtown: I have lived in Newtown since 1982. Prior to that, I lived in Sebastopol and San Francisco, Calif. I was born in New York City and grew up in West Los Angeles, Calif.

Biggest Change Seen in Town:         The town has become much more crowded, more impersonal, over-developed, and, I would say, in many ways without a direction.

Family: My wife, Cordalie Benoit, and I have been married for 17 years. We have one child, Charlotte, 16. I have two other children, Michael, 26, who lives in New Orleans, and Jed, 28, who lives in California.

Pets: We have two cats, Spike and Snowball; two spaniels, Rusty and George; and a rabbit.

Hobbies: Computer e-mail. I also like to garden, bike ride, and walk.

Favorite Books and Authors:                  I read mostly nonfiction, about              Buddhism, psychology, and social/political issues.

Favorite TV Show: We own a TV, but it gets no channels. We only use it for the VCR.

Organizations: National Association of Social Workers, Connecticut Society of Clinical Social Workers, Green Party, Zen Peacemaker Organization, Connecticut Institute of Psychosynthesis. I am a student of Mountains and Rivers Order of Buddhist Practices.

Most Vivid Memory of Newtown:      My father’s garden in Brushy Hill,     Platt’s Hill as a dirt road, and cows in pastures with stone walls and no houses.

Favorite Vacation Spot: My best vacation so far was to San Francisco. We also go to Rhode Island a lot to visit my wife’s family.

Personal Philosophy: Compassion for all living things. Avoid attachments by trying to remain disengaged. Be awake, be present to what’s happening. Meditate daily. Everything is my teacher.

SNAPSHOT

WITH PHOTOGRAPH

DAVID ELISCU