Qualifications

• BA in Economics
• MA in Educational Administration

About

Rick Spinell values the creativity and flexibility of the Colearn model, as well as the clear emphasis on meeting the needs of students. He appreciates being part of an environment where innovation in teaching is encouraged and student success remains the central focus.

One of Rick’s most meaningful teaching moments comes when students express simple but powerful understanding—such as saying, “this makes sense.” He finds great purpose in helping students access ideas that once felt out of reach and in guiding them toward reasoning, problem-solving, and creative thinking.

Rick deeply appreciates the care and dedication shown across the Colearn community. He recognizes the strong commitment from teachers and staff to support students at every level, from elementary through high school, even in a remote learning environment.

A fun fact about Rick is that he enjoys farce and finds comedy of errors, such as mistaken identity stories, especially entertaining.

Role

As a High School Science and Elective Teacher, Rick Spinell creates an engaging and dynamic learning environment where students are encouraged to think critically, reason through problems, and develop a deeper understanding of scientific concepts. He partners closely with students and families to ensure learning is accessible, meaningful, and centered on student growth.

His responsibilities include planning and delivering standards-based science and elective instruction, fostering inquiry-based learning experiences, supporting student understanding through feedback and discussion, and building strong relationships with students. Rick is passionate about helping students move from confusion to clarity and develop confidence as independent thinkers.