In a quiet office tucked inside Daniel Hand, with walls lined with trophies and old team photos, sits a man who has dedicated almost 40 years of his life to shaping the lives of kids, not just as a coach and teacher but as a mentor and kind soul that kids can always talk to.
Robert Faulkner played soccer for most of his life. After college, he joined the semi-pro Hartford Portuguese team and eventually, he made it to the Pittsburgh Spirit, a professional indoor team. “I lasted three days,” said Faulkner, “I got cut and I wasn't happy about it then, but it was probably the best thing to ever happen to me.”
Instead of continuing to pursue playing professionally, Faulkner found a new purpose: coaching.
He went back to Guilford High School as a coach, where he had played before. Next, he coached at the University of New Haven. Then he joined Daniel Hand and finally he joined Branford High School, where he still coaches today. His talent was recognized by many as he was inducted into several Halls of Fame: Madison, Guilford, Branford, and the Connecticut High School Soccer Coaches. But when asked about those achievements, he will immediately shift the focus away from himself, saying, “Coaches are only as good as their players, that will tell you a lot about the quality of kids I've coached.”
Since 1989, Faulkner has been the in-school suspension teacher at Daniel Hand.
Faulkner originally did not want this job. “They asked me to fill in temporarily. I said no, I wasn't interested,” he said. “They asked me again, and I said I'd do it until they find someone else to take over. Thirty-six years later, I'm still here.”
Faulkner still loves this career today for the simple reason of getting to work with kids. Faulkner treats his students and his players the same way with empathy, patience, and understanding. “You don't double punish a kid,” he says. “They've already been in trouble in the office. When they come down here, I try to make it a study atmosphere. I talk to them about doing the right things and point them in the right direction.”
“I actually enjoyed in-school-suspension,” said a senior. “I always get all my work done, and Mr. Faulkner tells cool stories. He’s also just the best.”
Many of Faulkner's students have stayed in touch over the years, sending letters, Christmas cards, or just stopping by to say hello. “It's nice when they stop you in a store and say ‘hey Coach Faulkner’ or ‘hey Mr. Faulkner how you doing,’ and give you a hug. That's the best feeling,” said Faulkner.
When asked about what he hopes his legacy will be, he didn’t hesitate in saying he hopes it will be: “As a positive influence in their lives, somebody who cared about them, who stuck up for them, and was a voice for them.”
For Faulkner, the wins, trophies, and Hall of Fame plaques are nothing in comparison to seeing his players and students succeed. Even after almost 40 years of coaching and teaching, Faulkner still finds joy in the same simple things that started it all, working with kids.
“If you love what you do, it shows. And I love what I do.”