Built-in friendships with other campus kids, free food in the dining hall, and a variety of athletic facilities are just a few of the few perks Mr. Richardson’s kids, Aiden (12) and Elias, (9) enjoy about living at Canterbury.
Derek Richardson came to Canterbury in 2000 after working in the Salem, NH school district as a special education teacher. A college friend of his, who was working at Canterbury at the time, told him that Canterbury was in need of a science teacher and football coach.
“I had a good job, but something told me that I should check it out. When I got here, I really had a good feeling so I took the job, and after the first year I knew I had made the right decision. Even though I was three hours from all my friends and family, from day one it felt like home to me. The Canterbury community was so friendly and helpful that it was easy to fall in love with,” he said.
Mr. Richardson still lives on campus, but 17 years later it’s with his wife and two sons. His wife, Renee, works as a Kindergarten teacher at the Center School in Brookfield. They first met while attending Plymouth State University when Mr. Richardson was her Resident Advisor. After college they both went their separate ways: Mr. Richardson to Salem and Mrs. Richardson to Lowell, MA. Five years later they met again on St. Patrick’s Day and started dating. Two years after Mr. Richardson began working at Canterbury they were married and Mrs. Richardson moved in.
“Ever since I moved here, Canterbury has shown me a community and the ‘family’ of friends that are always there for support. It has been a wonderful place for my boys to grow up,” Mrs. Richardson said.
In his 17th year at Canterbury, Mr. Richardson is a science teacher, football coach, basketball coach, Carter House dorm parent, and Student Activities Coordinator.
“Canterbury is a great community. The faculty are more of an extended family rather than colleagues. Raising a family here is great. It’s a very safe environment. We actually have to remind the kids to be more careful when we are not on campus.”
Aiden and Elias, also love living at Canterbury. “I would say that my favorite thing about living on this campus is eating at the dining hall and playing on the basketball court,” said Elias.
“I like living so close to my friends [other faculty kids] and that it’s easy to hang out and play anytime. But I don’t like that my dad gets out of school earlier than me,” said Aiden, who hopes he will be joining Canterbury’s Class of 2023.
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