This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
After graduating in 2010, Jacob Page finds himself back at Brookline High School. He attended Rhode Island College, where he studied sociology and played basketball. Afterwards, he got his master’s degree while working at the high school as a para-professional. Now, he is a school-based social worker at BHS. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and listening to Kendrick and J. Cole.
What was the best part of your summer?
Going to Georgia to visit family; we stayed in an Airbnb with my parents and extended family for five days and just hung out.
Who was your role model growing up?
Probably my dad, he was a big role model. And my grandfather. I think those two individuals really meant a lot to me in terms of growing up. My grandfather was a very prideful man,
education meant a lot. Also, knowing who you are and where you come from meant a lot to him. So, instilling those values of how you want to put an imprint on the world yourself;
that was his message. My dad, I think he was a super hard worker. Sometimes, I didn’t realize how I was as a kid, but looking back now, I see a lot of myself in him and how he operated.
Do you have a favorite holiday or a favorite holiday tradition?
I would say Christmas is a big one and Thanksgiving. When I was a kid it was important to my family. We used to see my dad’s side of the family during Thanksgiving until everybody kind of moved away. I used to go to New York every Thanksgiving, have a big family meal and all that stuff for Thanksgiving.
What would you say your favorite part about your job here is?
While playing basketball at school, I was doing a lot of work with kids, giving back in the community. So going to schools, working with kids and reading books. Talking with kids, understanding what they’re going through. Trying to support young individuals, find themselves, build on their confidence and help them feel seen. Sometimes you can go through the [school] building and go through emotions and feel like nobody’s really paying attention, but I try to shout people out or give them some attention that maybe they weren’t getting before.
Has there been a particularly meaningful moment that you’ve had working here?
I think when it comes to this work, getting to a point in the year where I see kids put everything together, maybe they’re struggling at some point in the year and helping them get things to click. Having gone here and now working here, helps me understand where kids are coming from or what the pressures of being at a school as great as Brookline can bring.
What’s something that people wouldn’t expect about you?
When I was 10, 11 and 12, I used to take dance classes. I was in the Urban Nutcracker for two years. I think both years, I was the rat. Those were the good old days.
