About Mr. Tracy

Colin Tracy’s favorite novel is V. by Thomas Pynchon. The story mixes history with modern times, and is at different points funny, horrifying, and suspenseful.

“It is also a giant puzzle, with a mystery for the reader to solve,” says Mr. Tracy, who majored in English at Beloit College and studied fiction writing at Emerson College.

In some ways, Mr. Pynchon’s book is a lot like Mr. Tracy’s classroom.

“I love learning myself, love English and History, and enjoy making learning exciting for other people,” says Mr. Tracy, who has been teaching for 15 years. “I love teaching 8th grade because the students are just old enough to begin thinking deeply about their learning, and I can be there to help them make connections and learn new ways of thinking.”

A Pomfret, Connecticut native, Mr. Tracy’s love for teaching was inspired, in part, by his high school history teacher, Paul Grascek. “He was demanding of us, and very willing to make a fool of himself if necessary for students to understand a concept or piece of history.”

Mr. Tracy says teachers should share their excitement and love of the content in a way that will inspire their students to find that passion in themselves. “The classroom should be a fun, engaging, and entertaining place for all involved,” he says. “But all of it must be in the name of learning, at all times.”