The English department welcomes Mr. Nick Platt, who will serve as an English II and III teacher for Fourth and Fifth Formers and coach squash.
Mr. Platt brings an impressive academic resume, holding a B.A. in English Literature from Sewanee: The University of the South, as well as an M.Litt. from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.
Before he arrived at Haverford, he served as an English teacher, advisor, and varsity squash coach for the Gilman School, a private all-boys school in Baltimore, Maryland.
Years of teaching have shaped his style and philosophy.
“Teaching English at the middle school level taught me how much priority I need to give to academic skills development,” Mr. Platt said.
Despite his love for literature, he believes that the real key to success in English or any course is consistent academic habits.
“As much as I enjoy doing close readings of the texts with students or reading a student’s compelling analysis of a text, I also emphasize with my students those small but impactful academic habits (annotating, note-taking, organization, drafting) that drive success in any course,” Mr. Platt said.
“The best advice I can give to new students is: do the reading! No, really—do it! [Students] are given some really interesting and challenging books to read, and so they should not forfeit that opportunity. I urge them [students] to not squander their chance to build their own capacity for thinking by taking shortcuts on writing.”
MR. NICK PLATT
Mr. Platt encourages students to actually read the books assigned.
“The best advice I can give to new students is: do the reading! No, really—do it! [Students] are given some really interesting and challenging books to read, and so they should not forfeit that opportunity. I urge them [students] to not squander their chance to build their own capacity for thinking by taking shortcuts on writing,” he said.
Out of school, Mr. Platt enjoys a variety of activities.
“I like to spend time outdoors, whether it is hiking, being by the water, fishing, camping, or biking,” Mr. Platt said.
He adds that one of his fondest memories was biking from Seattle to San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway one summer in college with friends, with no prior experience.
Driven by his passion for literature, emphasis on good habits, and impressive background, Mr. Platt is prepared to make a substantial impact on the community.