Jacob Montarano is a Teaching Fellow in Physical Education and a House Counselor in Taylor House. After graduating from the University of New Hampshire in 2023 and working as a substitute teacher in the King’s School, Montarano came to Andover in 2024. As the Boys JV Football Coach and Girls JV Hockey Head Coach, he is committed to developing students into thriving and dedicated student-athletes. Outside of his teaching career, he has interests in landscape architecture and sports management.
How did you arrive at Andover?
Knowing that I didn’t have much experience just one year out of college, my major was sports management, and I built my own minor tailored around education… I’ve met people who were teaching fellows at other schools, and I was able to find a teaching fellowship program at Andover. It was just a no-brainer that I needed to apply, and it was fate that it opened up. I put my name in and got a call from Lisa Joel in athletics asking if I would be interested in coming to campus for an interview last April. I quickly said yes. I got to meet a lot of the staff, and I fell in love with the campus. It’s been the best opportunity I could’ve asked for, and there’s plenty of opportunities that keep arising that I never even thought possible for me.
Was there any specific person who inspired you to have a passion for sports and landscape architecture?
For landscaping, just doing it with my dad. We would work at my grandfather’s house. It was nothing professional, mowing the lawns, weeding, mulching. I just really enjoyed it. It was very hands-on and something that I still like to do. I’ll still go to my grandfather’s house and work over the summers for him and even at my own house. Then for sports, I credit the first professor I had. He wasn’t my mentor or advisor but everyone in that department treats you like you’re one of theirs and someone I always would go to for advice. So when I, halfway through college, knew I wanted to enter a boarding school space such as Andover, he was someone I went to talk to all the time.
What are some of your hobbies or things you like to do during your free time?
I don’t play sports anymore, but my sisters got me into CrossFit [about] three years ago, so that was something that I did with them. I didn’t know if I was going to like it. It was very difficult, and it still is, but it’s something that’s been eye-opening for me. The people that are there, everyone is just so good and so kind to me. That would probably be the one thing I’ve picked up recently that I really enjoy doing when I get to go home, especially when [my sisters] are home… It’s quick, but it’s a good feeling to spend time with them even if it’s only for an hour or two.
What’s a piece of advice you have for the community?
[This] might sound simple, but something I always try to remember [is that] everyone has an off day every now and again. It’s just part of [life]. Just trying to always remind myself that tomorrow is a new day, and there’s always moments in every day that can help. Even if I’m having a bad day, I’m still here being open and available to anyone. I always remind myself that every day is a new opportunity to learn and grow, and that we’re made up of millions of moments, so don’t let one thing that happened define you. That’s really important for sports, too, because you can’t let one small moment define you. So even in the classroom, obviously we all want the best grades we can get, but I’ve had my fair share of low scores as anyone. Learning from it obviously hurts, you put in time, and sometimes it doesn’t shape out the way you thought it would, but it’s important to know: “Okay, I got a bad grade one time. I still have the rest of the term.” I put in the effort. It didn’t work out. But re-evaluate. What can I do differently? Feedback from the instructor. Super important. Wash your hands with it, learn from it. You got another test coming up. Homework? Use it as motivation to improve.
How did you develop an interest in physical education?
I went to public school, so I always have had physical education as a course. I believe we did quarters but I would get two report cards for a half-year class. I had to take two semesters worth of physical education in high school. I’ve always been playing sports, and I was always outside growing up. It’s a class that I always used as a good break and an escape in my day. I used it to destress. Our PE was a lot different than here. We did not have a swim portion, a pool unit, or a ropes course. It was more like learning to play games. We had a soccer unit, basketball, floor hockey, and a physical fitness test requirement. We had to do a mile run, push up, sit up tests, sit and reach [to] test your flexibility… Physical education was always appealing.
What do you think makes a good athlete or a student-athlete here at Andover?
The student is first in that. School always. That’s the way it was when I was in high school. School is first. And if you don’t maintain the grade, you’re not eligible to play. So school is very important, especially here, because it’s a tough school. The most important piece is you’ve got to work hard, so you can also have fun, like going out with friends.
How was your experience growing up and how is it similar or different from the community here?
I grew up in Connecticut, a small town, and everyone knew everyone. My sisters went to boarding school, actually, so we had a very different experience in high school. They got to see friends from absolutely everywhere, which was something that I didn’t have until college. This place is just so diverse and students are from all over the globe, even in this building. Kids [are] from everywhere, and it’s really unique, and something that is very valuable.
What are some things you look forward to this coming school year and in your next years here?
Over break, I went home for a little bit, as everyone did, but I really found myself missing the dorm. It’s a special community. I lived in a dorm in college, but never as a [resident advisor] or a house counselor. I just really missed being here. I came back a few days before students were able to come back, [and] I just missed the buzz with everyone here, just the life that you all bring to campus every day.
What have been some of your favorite parts of Andover so far?
I really enjoyed the Cluster Olympics at the beginning of the year. I know it started raining, but seeing how that might have paused the event, [instead] seeing you all leave the stands and run to the middle of the field and have a dance party. Making the most of it was really cool. Then, I would also say something I look forward to every day is seeing my colleagues I’ve become close with. The teaching fellow cohort. There’s a lot of us, and I’m super fortunate to call those individuals friends. Going somewhere for the first time without knowing anyone is scary. As I’m sure [students] know, coming here for your ninth grade year, probably not knowing anyone, is a little frightening, but being able to call those people my friends, people I look forward to seeing every day, is really cool.
If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
I would say dedicated. I’ve always put a lot of effort into whatever I do. Definitely accountable. Growing up, you have a schedule to follow, and then now, in a space where I’m living in the dorm, I have 34 students when I’m on duty that could come to me for anything, even when I’m not on duty. I make sure I’ve got everything balanced between workday, residential life, coaching, practice, planning, and then always trying to find new drills that I think would excite everyone. And caring… for students, helping anyone talk through their feelings is what I like to do because I know I need that too sometimes. I go to my friends all the time and talk through situations that happen to me. Just knowing how much that means to me when my friends listen to me, I hope to give my students the same feeling. I hope if someone comes to me with anything, they have my full attention and [I’ll] try to work through it as best as I can.
What’s your experience been like coaching here?
Coaching has been great. It’s been something I’ve done, [but] I’m still new to the space. I started coaching my first team as an assistant coach in college. I’m doing [Girls JV Hockey] this year, but it started off here in the fall because I was a part of JV Football. I didn’t play a fall sport in high school, so when they asked if I wanted to do football, I was a little nervous because I’ve never played football. I used it as a space to get to know the kids and also learn from the four other coaches who know the game very well. I’ll be doing JV Boys Lacrosse in the spring. [So] just picking up on things and learning from other adults in the space who’ve been doing this for a lot longer than I have.
