Mr Addy, a friendly face in the hallowed halls of South Windsor High School. 

His room, one Kobe Bryant poster on the back wall. 

He loved Kobe Bryant and mourned his death as did so many others, and Mr. Addy actually named his daughter; Gianna, after Gianna Bryant.

 When you are in Mr. Addy’s office, Kobe Bryant stares down at you from above him.

Mr Addy, or ‘Addy’ as his mentees like to call him, is the schools newest social worker, just hired this year.

 But as many other students can agree, it feels like we’ve known him incessantly. His room is a safe space when school is too much to bear, and students often find themselves making their way to see him;  seeking both solace and counsel

Prior to working at South Windsor high school he worked “in the Hartford school district and worked at the juvenile detention center at Hartford.” 

His main goal at every place has been employed is making sure his students are the priority, that he has a positive relationship with students, and that they have a safe space. 

Growing up he had dreams of going to the NFL or playing pro basketball, but that lead him to social work. ‘I started coaching basketball in 2004, and started as a mentor ship and somebody pointed out that I was good with talking to the young males, and young females and coaching, and that I should look into something more professional.” He didn’t want to be a teacher, as he didn’t desire to be tied to the classroom, yet he wanted to be able to help kids inside the classroom, which ultimately led him to social work. 

Something Mr. Addy has always been passionate about is working out. (His fitness Instagram is @tailored.fitnessct.) He grew up as a student athlete at a Catholic school, which gave structure to his life. He caught himself in the loop that many student athletes find themselves in, ‘school, practice, home, school, practice, home.’ He felt that going to a Catholic school certain standards of perfection were placed onto him, “People didn’t really notice or feel like they needed to take notice to our issues or problems we had.’ 

Mr. Addy is an extremely caring individual and aims to make sure every student feels heard. 

His advice to any student going through a hard time currently, is “ This is not the end- all be- all. Some of the stuff that I thought was important in high school- back then- is really not important”

“You have to tell the kids now that life is a marathon its not a sprint. You have to pace yourself. Life’s not always going to be the greatest, but you’re never going to be stuck in the same place. Life will move on with, or without you. You have to keep going, and put one foot forward.”