David Dell'Isola

Happy Friday, Everyone! This week we’re highlighting another wonderful member of our teaching faculty, David Dell’Isola. David teaches Latin and history at Field. David is a DMV native and attended The George Washington University. He is passionate about many things, including cooking, scuba diving, music, and art! He even cooks at a local Maryland restaurant in his spare time. Keep reading to learn what he loves most about working at Field.

Where did you grow up?

DMV - lived in all three areas VA, MD, DC

What is your alma mater?

The George Washington University 

What is your favorite book or podcast?

The Giving Tree will never not make me cry; Neil Gaiman's Sandman; Alan Moore's From Hell, Swamp Thing, and Watchmen; Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential.

What is something that people at The Field School might not know about you?

I am a quarter Chamorran (native people of Guam) and have a ton of family that still lives on the island, who strive to preserve what's left of the indigenous culture; I love scuba diving and am a certified rescue diver. I scuba dove along the Great Barrier Reef as well as Palau and a lot in the Caribbean. I have played in many bands around DC, primarily as the bass player - I toured some of the east coast and recorded an EP at Inner Ear Studios with the great Don Zientara (super nice guy!). I used to be a line cook at Martha Dear before I was a teacher to learn the art of the pizzaiolo. 

What hobbies do you have outside of Field?

I currently line cook in the evenings at the French restaurant, Bistro Provence, in Bethesda with the amazing chef, Yannick Cam. I like to write and illustrate (to the best of my abilities anyway) stories in the form of graphic novels inspired by the great comic authors: Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, etc. 

What is the first concert you ever attended?

Smashing Pumpkins when I was 12

Who inspires you and why?

Upon receiving his Presidential Medal of Freedom, Duke Ellington remarked about his dear friend and co-composer, Billy Strayhorn: "...we would like very much to mention the four major freedoms that my friend and writing-and-arranging composer, Billy Strayhorn, lived by and enjoyed. That was freedom from hate, unconditionally; freedom from self-pity; freedom from fear of possibly doing something that may help someone else more than it would him; and freedom from the kind of pride that could make a man feel that he is better than his brother." - these freedoms will always be the goals for me to aspire to. 

If you could share one piece of advice with your younger self, what would it be?

Life is too short not to be yourself, to not cherish every moment spent with loved ones, to not try to learn and do the things you love, to not forgive those who hurt you, and apologize to those you've hurt. Also, maybe rethink taking Russian in college.

What do you love most about working at The Field School?

Apart from the obvious: the incredible facilities team, teaching colleagues, and students. I love all the opportunities students have to explore their own interests through clubs, electives, and intersession.