Rob Cullinane (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)

Rob Cullinane loves the fresh way his students look at the world. "They are like little sponges, soaking up whatever they can," he says. "I love to watch a child who thinks they can't do something reach a goal and to see the pride on their faces."

Mr. C, as he is known to his students, began teaching in Harvard in 1996, starting in second grade, then grade 2-3 multi-age, and now third grade, where he loves every minute. He lives in Harvard with his husband, Todd, a lawyer for Liberty Mutual, and their two adopted children, Tim, a sophomore at Mount Wachusett Community College, and Ross, a Bromfield freshman who is very involved with soccer and school and is preparing for his bar mitzvah this month. "I watch where Todd and I have come with our children and where they are today, and I am filled with tremendous pride," he says.

Cullinane still keeps in touch with some of his first students, now college seniors. "They were incredibly creative thinkers," he recalls. "They saw things in a very different way, which challenged me to keep them invested." Reflecting on classroom changes over the years, he says, "Teaching was more about reaching students at their developmental level and taking them to the next stage of growth. They were allowed to develop on their own schedule, which many did. Now there is so much focus on testing and fitting the standards that there is not a lot of room for creativity and individuality. I keep trying to stay with my core beliefs, though. Every child will succeed."

Cullinane earned a bachelor's degree in English, a master's degree in elementary education, and a degree in hospitality management. He opened Au Bon Pain restaurants in the Boston area, ran executive dining rooms, and was the director of catering at the MIT Faculty Club. His favorite pastimes are reading, cooking, and entertaining. Cooking is relaxing for him. He loves to experiment (he does not use cookbooks) and share his culinary creations with friends and family. Is there one food he doesn't like? Yes, the perennial kid favorite: pizza!

In 2000, Cullinane was awarded the Fullbright Memorial Teacher scholarship, the greatest moment in his career. "I was chosen from a pool of hundreds of educators from across the country," he says. "I spent three weeks in Japan observing and collaborating with Japanese educators and my fellow scholarship colleagues. It was amazing!" He attended a welcome reception with Japan's prime minister, traveled with 300 other educators, and visited elementary, academic, and trade schools.

An annual tradition and highlight of the school year is Cullinane's end-of-year campout on the playing field. Students and parents pitch tents, barbecue hamburgers and hotdogs, roast marshmallows, play games, and enjoy their time together before the last day of school the following day.

As with any profession, there are frustrations and rewards. Cullinane is frustrated when there isn't enough time to fit in everything within the confines of the school day. "Seeing children who don't believe in themselves is also frustrating," he says. "On the other hand, watching the 'aha' moment when a student 'gets' a concept is one of the most rewarding things."

Cullinane's students teach him lessons about patience and awe. "I learn to slow down and look at life through their eyes, and that is awe-inspiring," he says. "Keeping an 8- to 9-year-old perspective on the world is a great thing. I love watching kids find that safe place in my classroom where it is okay to not be perfect and just allow ourselves to grow together. I love every moment … well, maybe not MCAS! Teaching is hard work, but the most rewarding job around. To touch a child's life in a positive way is pretty awesome." Cullinane looks forward to teaching in Harvard for many more years, enjoying life, and watching his own children meet their destiny.

Suzanne Mahoney is interim principal at Hildreth Elementary School.