Expanding upon one of his hobbies, John Becker founded the Connecticut-based Essex Table Company in 2018 and has since crafted sustainable furniture such as dining tables and serving boards from woods such as Norway Maple and White Oak. Prior to establishing the company, John Becker was a member of the English department at Pomfret School, where he taught British literature and AP language and composition. He worked at the school for four years, during which time he also served as director of the Health and Wellness initiative and Schwartz Visiting Fellow program.
John Becker spent the prior five years teaching creative writing, literature, and psychology at The Williams School in New London. He was given the Distinguished Faculty Award in 2010 and, that same year, was selected by the student body to serve as commencement speaker. He has 15 years of teaching experience and has also coached lacrosse and other sports at schools throughout Connecticut and New York.
A recent recipient of a master's degree in education and leadership from the University of Pennsylvania, Mr. Becker also holds a master's and a bachelor's in English from Middlebury College and the University of Massachusetts, respectively. In addition to woodworking, he enjoys cooking, reading, and photography.