History 8
Steven joined the faculty in 2008. He and his wife Catherine live on a farm in Somerset, Virginia, with their son, Sinclaire, who is an eighth grader at Grymes. After a 25-year career in the finance and investment business, Steven moved from the West Coast to Orange County, where, in addition to teaching, he operates a working hay farm. He has a life-long interest in history, which began with his undergraduate studies in the subject at Yale College and his graduate work at Oxford University. He also holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia Law School.
Having begun at Grymes as a substitute teacher last year, he now teaches eighth grade American history, covering the period from the republic’s early years through the Great Depression. His class emphasizes the development of critical thinking and expository writing skills, calling upon students to apply deductive reasoning to the dynamics of historical cause and effect. The Brooks have three dogs and, at last count, 22 Barred Rock chickens. The family enjoys fishing, field sports and skiing.