Rob O’Connor

Rob serves as a Residential Administrator and Advisor at Grove, manager of the White House dorm, and an Academic Case Manager. He brings a unique blend of expertise in secondary history and special education, along with a genuine passion for helping students discover their strengths through creativity and engagement. Rob earned his Bachelor of Arts in History and Psychology from Eastern Connecticut State University, his Master’s in Education in History from Sacred Heart University, and his Master’s in Special Education with a focus on learning disabilities from Southern Connecticut State University.

Rob joined Grove in 2018 as a live-in Teacher Counselor and was promoted to Residential Administrator and Advisor in early 2021. In 2023, he pursued a career shift to public elementary education as an intensive case manager specializing in non-verbal autism and learning challenges, but his connection to Grove remained strong. He continued working part time, where he innovated outdoor programming, creating the Bushcrafting Club to engage students with natural materials and non-powered tools to build historic structures, combining physical activity, historical knowledge, and STEM-based learning. In 2025, Rob returned full time to Grove, deepening his impact on students and the community.

Beyond his advisory and case management work, Rob teaches history electives that showcase his creativity and passion for the subject, from Norse History and Mythology to the History of Crime and Punishment. He also facilitates structured activities like Dungeons and Dragons and continues to lead the Bushcrafting Club, creating spaces where students can think differently, build skills, and have fun. Rob serves as a mentor to staff and brings a genuine care for both student and colleague growth.