Over the years Mr. Basil has become notable for his enthusiasm towards algebra, jokes, love for the Mets and his yearly tradition of singing on the loud speaker for Mrs. Basil. Students have attested to his genuine care and passion for the subject he teaches from his recitations of the quadratic formula to the rhythm of jack-in-the-box to the Marty Math mascot he draws in lesson plans. Last June Mr. Basil received the Teacher of the Year award for the 2024-2025 school year. Below he speaks about a variety of topics from his thoughts about the award to sharing his favorite herb.

Q: What was your reaction to being named Teacher of the Year?

BB: My IMMEDIATE reaction was love. Love for Mrs. Basil, my kids, my brother and parents, our wonderful school and my teachers’ union (GO SFT!!). I have always been proud to tell people I teach at NHP. It’s a pretty perfect place. To be named TOY at such a terrific school immediately reminded me of all the love in my life, and how lucky I feel being here. I also can’t say enough about what a dynamic, inspiring and supportive leader Ms. Sheena Kurian has been and continues to be. She has reinvigorated my career in ways I never imagined. Ms. Kurian’s faith in me makes coming to NHP feel more important.

Q: Where do you find your motivation?

BB: I saw part of a terrific early interview with Bruce Springsteen (superstar rock singer) when I first started teaching. The interviewer asked the relatively unknown Springsteen, “Bruce! You just gave an amazing 3-hour concert! How do you find the energy?!” Springsteen answered quietly, “Desperation.” I just loved that….

Teaching just HAD to work for me!! My parents demonstrated major love, patience and understanding by helping me out as I lived on my own in Delaware and returned to school full-time. I went through a funky period of self doubt after making the wrong career choice after college. I owed it to myself and to my family to make teaching work… NO MATTER WHAT!!

Q: What is the story behind Marty Math?

BB: Marty is a character born from the late nights, uncertainty and craziness of COVID. At 3 AM one night, as I tried to write lessons for the first time on KeyNote for my YouTube channel (WHAT?!?!), my Apple pencil swept across the page. The resulting image reminded me of a little bird, and… BAM!! A Basil Land mascot was created! I have a special place in my heart for Marty. He’s a vivid reminder of the versatility out of necessity that grew in me as Mrs. Basil, my own kids and I tried to figure out our new existence. I often tell my classes that Marty spreads reassurance and joy to the world’s math children—that includes me.

Q: What started your famous tradition of singing on the loudspeaker each year for your marriage anniversary?

BB: I am a ham. (Duh!). Mrs. Basil is not. (Thank GOODNESS!) I love to sing and she’s a great audience. I guess the first time I did it—maybe 5 or 6 years ago—I was completely motivated by the chance to catch her off guard while she was teaching… It worked!!

(… The line in the Jimmy Durante song I chose that year is so beautiful: It’s so important to make someone happy… Just make some one someone happy… Once you’ve found her, build your world around her! Make some one happy. Make just one someone happy. And you… will be happy… too!)

The surprise still works, by the way… Our anniversary this year was on a Sunday, so she thought she was off the hook! I even saw her moments before in the office with Principal DeGennaro and she didn’t realize why I was there! Ha!

I feel like so much of my career has been a love letter to Mrs. Basil. We met here, built our careers together, became great friends, and eventually got married. That lady saved me in every way. SHE’S the one who pointed out LISABASIL is a palindrome!! The life I have is because of her… How do I not celebrate in song? (DUH!!)

Q: What encouraged you to start coaching tennis, and how has your coaching changed over the years? 

BB: Years ago, I coached JH boys soccer, JH boys baseball, JV boys volleyball and JV girls volleyball. I did so up until Mrs. Basil and I started raising our family.

Then, for about 10 years, I coached my own kids’ baseball, softball, basketball and soccer teams. The timing for tennis was perfect. My kids had aged out of “Coach Dad,” and we needed the money for their education… College is EXPENSIVE, bro!!

As a young person, my sport in high school and college was tennis. So, the physical part of demonstrating strokes felt familiar. I just never counted on loving the experience so much, you know?

My approach has been pretty consistent, but I’d say the biggest change from my early coaching to tennis now is attitude. Tennis is not the big sport at NHP. Many of our players show up brand new to the game when they come to us. I’ve learned to be more of a tennis teacher than a coach—skills and basics vs. in match strategies. It’s helped me see small improvements and worry less about competitive outcomes.

Patience helps, though! Our girls season ended Tuesday with a BANG! For the first time in 6 years, NHP has a WINNING Varsity Tennis Team!

My love for this year’s squad is true and deep, but that is for a different interview…

Q: What is your favorite herb?

BB: Hands down it’s garlic! I know, right?? We grow tons of basil (of course!) every summer, and I’d put our caprese salad up against anyone’s…, but there’s nothing like garlic. It’s king spice… I had a broiled scallops meal recently and it was the roasted garlic that made it heavenly. GARLIC!

Q: Why did you decide to become a teacher?

BB: Out of college, I managed kitchens and dining halls in restaurants and at universities but could tell right away the business world was not for me.

I figured out pretty quickly that working with young people was my true love… Add math, Marty, Mets… stir… and voila! Mr. Basil! (Ha!!) Despite my early stumbles, teaching felt like a much better fit. In addition, it felt like a career and not just a job.

In class, I can be silly and fun once I’ve set a tone of responsibility. I get the chance to influence young people in ways that I believe will make them into adults defined by excellent character. Kids are hungry to learn, want to believe in things, and will do anything to improve if the culture is right. They make me want to be a better man and to make the experience bigger than all of us.