Introducing Dante Barsotti, Stage II Teacher

9/9/2026

WELCOME DANTE!

From Lower School Director, Cynthia Harris: Dante is excited to return to his childhood home in Michigan after teaching exclusively at independent schools in Southern California. He looks forward to putting down roots, raising his family, and continuing his teaching career in the community that first shaped him. Dante strives to create a classroom where curiosity is encouraged, thoughtful discussion is valued, and students feel empowered to take intellectual risks. He has worked with students from Pre-K through 8th grade, and his training in Responsive Classroom practices informs his commitment to building a supportive classroom community where every student feels a sense of belonging.

Questions and Answers:

What is your new position at Roeper?

Stage 2 Teacher

What are one or two highlights of your life?

If I were answering this a year or two ago, I’d have so many things I’d want to talk about, but all of those things pale in comparison to becoming a father. My son, Roberto, will be turning one in just a couple of weeks, and becoming his dad has been the greatest highlight of my life. I never imagined how amazing it would be to be a father, and every day with him and watching him grow has been incredible. Each new day brings an exciting new adventure, and I look forward to all that the future holds.

Where are you from, and what would you like to share about yourself and your family?

I grew up in Roseville, Michigan, but spent almost the last 20 years in Los Angeles, California. At the end of this summer, my wife and I moved back to Roseville with our son, Roberto, who turns one on September 8. We’re now raising him in the same home I grew up in, which makes coming back to Michigan feel especially meaningful.

What do you like to do in your free time?

When I’m not spending time with the baby, I enjoy trying new foods and checking out the latest movies with my wife. I also love traveling with my family and exploring new places. Now that I’m back in Michigan, I’m looking forward to discovering all the things I missed while I was away, rediscovering the places I remember from when I was young, and getting to share them with my family.

What is a topic or skill that you love to teach or share and why?

I love history because it allows us to understand the past through multiple perspectives. Looking at an event through different lenses gives us a fuller picture of what life was really like, not just for the people directly involved, but for those affected by it as well. That’s also what I love about teaching history—I want students to see it as more than names, dates, and facts. I want them to ask questions, consider different viewpoints, and think about whose stories are being told and whose might be missing. History becomes much more meaningful when students can see the people and experiences behind the events.

Why Roeper?

The more I learned about Roeper, the more I felt like the philosophy aligned with the way I enjoy teaching. I love creating classrooms where students are encouraged to think deeply, ask questions, and explore ideas rather than simply memorize information. I also appreciate Roeper's emphasis on knowing students as individuals and helping them grow both academically and personally.

What's something most people don't know about you?

A random claim to fame that I have is that there’s a character in a children’s book named after me. Before starting my journey into teaching, I went to art school, and years later one of my old roommates decided to publish his own book. Lucky for me, he decided to name one of the characters after me! I’m still holding out hope that one day my character gets his own spinoff.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I’m just excited to be joining the Roeper community and look forward to getting to know everyone!

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Introducing Dante Barsotti, Stage II Teacher

Bloomfield Campus

Birmingham Campus