Ian Thomas is excited to serve the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation as a Certified Educator working as a tutor in the Education Department. He is a proud Fishers Island High School and University of Connecticut graduate who works as a full-time teacher for the State of Connecticut. He began his teaching career as a sail training instructor for Ocean Classroom Foundation in 1999 and then went on to sail as captain, mate or deckhand aboard many other vessels traveling up and down the East Coast, Caribbean, Canadian Maritimes and Great Lakes; earning a Masters’ License to operate any vessel up to 500 tons under steam (motor) or sail power upon any water as well as an Unlimited Able-Bodied Seaman Certification. He returned back to Southeastern Connecticut after working on tall ships for ten years with the goal of becoming a classroom teacher and raising a family. He resumed his education with UConn, completing his dual major with a Bachelor’s degree in both English and History while working for a living as a professional mariner working for a local ferry company. His first full-time teaching assignment was as a middle school English Teacher in New Britain, but soon after the close of that first year, in 2019, he was offered a full-time career teaching position with the State of Connecticut, a commitment that he accepted and which allows him to have to the time and stability to work as a tutor in the afternoons with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. He has recently earned a Master’s Degree in Special Education as well as receiving a state certification to deliver such services to anyone who requires it. Additionally, he currently serves as a member of the Reasoning through Language Arts Curriculum Committee for Unified School District #1. When he is not working, he enjoys reading, writing, live music shows, as well as hiking, swimming and sailing. Ian lives with his wife (Portia), two dachshunds (Benson and Brady) and a cat (Beyonce’) in Groton City. Their older son (Isaac) is a proud sailor with the US Navy and their younger son (Aiden) is an US Navy Midshipman 4th Class attending Maine Maritime Academy in pursuit of Marine Engineering Technology Degree and 200-ton Merchant Mariner Credential.
Services
- Member of the homework help and tutoring program
- Assists students in managing school assignments for grades 7-12 as well as college level courses
- Available for consultation and coordination with students’ parents/guardians, instructors and support staff
- Available to coordinate with Behavior Intervention, Special Education and College Counseling
