In the classroom of American History 8 Teacher Mr. Kamal Assaf (‘88), every day begins with the same simple phrase: “Is everyone fired up today?” Whether you’re half asleep or dreading an upcoming test, this question, paired with Mr. Assaf’s enthusiasm, is enough to make anyone feel at least a bit of excitement for the day ahead. Mr. Assaf, a lifelong Knight, continues to spread his energy after decades on campus, to his students, those he coaches, his colleagues, and almost everyone on campus.

Mr. Assaf’s desire to teach was sparked long ago when he was a student at Bishop’s from 1982 to 1988. As a student, his favorite subjects were English and History because of his teachers’ ability to make classes “captivating.”

Even now, decades later, Mr. Assaf maintains a natural understanding of student life. He balances many extracurricular activities, including guitar, which he began playing two years ago after being inspired by his students. “I saw Evan Chang (‘28) and Grayson Blatt (‘27) walking around with guitars and stuff, and I said to myself: ‘Why don’t I give myself the challenge of learning how to play guitar as a grown-up?’”

Mr. Assaf committed himself to practicing every day and getting lessons once a week. He added, “I can also remember what it’s like to be a student and a learner, and playing guitar doesn’t come easily.” 

Mr. Assaf’s enthusiasm for learning has ignited the same curiosity and desire to learn in his own students. Mira Brouha (‘29) described his personality in class as “bubbly and approachable.” She added, “The second I walked into his class, I knew I was going to like [it].”

Mr. Assaf’s ability to empathize with learners eventually shaped his career path. As a college student at UCSD, he realized that he did not yet know what he wanted to do professionally. He reflected on his life, considering his love for coaching basketball, and realized that “maybe a life of teaching and coaching was one [he] wanted to pursue.”

At 24 years old, he began his teaching career at Saint Mary’s Hall, a boarding school in San Antonio, Texas. “It was quite the experience,” he explained, “to learn how to manage the classroom and a dormitory and also coach…It was just a very good introduction to education.”

But in 1998, 10 years after his graduation, Mr. Assaf was drawn back to Bishop’s because, he explained, “I believe in the institution. I loved it so much, and I wanted to come back to San Diego.”

Mr. Assaf continued coaching as well, but for several years, he did so at La Jolla High School, training the Varsity Basketball Team, while simultaneously teaching at Bishop’s. “It was remarkably generous of [the Bishop’s administration] to allow me to lead a varsity boys’ program at another school,” he said.

As a Knight during the school day and a Viking at game time, Mr. Assaf explained that he received some “funny treatment” from Bishop’s students. He said some were confused to see Mr. Assaf on the opposing team, and others teased him after losses. 

He met their heckling with jokes of his own and emphasized that he had a lot of respect for both the Bishop’s students and coaches. In 2012, Mr. Assaf took on coaching middle school football and basketball at Bishop’s. He sees his effort to develop Bishop’s athletes as an opportunity to “give back” for the understanding and support he received while coaching at La Jolla High.

As a coach, Mr. Assaf explained that his goal is to “encourage, nurture, celebrate, and develop players.” Reflecting on his coaching experience, Mr. Assaf added that the most rewarding feeling is seeing the players he coached playing on the varsity team, because, he said, “I feel a part of that history.” 

Mr. Assaf also compared teaching and coaching, saying that in sports, when “you win a game, or you lose a game, it’s obvious.” The higher pressure, he said, develops a unique sense of camaraderie that he loves. As a teacher, he contrasted, “I’m pretty much winning all the time because my students are so great.”

Neil Koura (‘28), whom Mr. Assaf coached on the middle school basketball team, explained that “Mr. Assaf is always fired up.” Grayson Blatt (‘27), trained by Mr. Assaf in middle school football and basketball, agreed, saying, “His enthusiasm makes everyone have this will to win.” 

Grayson added on, saying that Mr. Assaf influences his athletes “to be good teammates to each other and be thankful that you get to play with each other.” In practice, Neil explained that “[The team] did friendly competitions to help us work together and challenge each other and create a bond between teammates.” Grayson concluded that, “He encourages us to be better teammates, communicators, leaders, and players.”

Mr. Assaf brings the same energy as a teacher because, he said, “I feel like if you’re encouraging, if you’re passionate, you can engage students.” He spoke from his own experience, explaining that he was inspired by his ninth-grade world history and 11th-grade U.S. history teacher, Dr. Belinda Hennessy, because “She could tell stories and she kept you riveted.”

According to Mr. Assaf, Dr. Hennessy had the ability to keep students interested by helping them vividly imagine the past. She made history more than just a series of dates and events to memorize for Mr. Assaf, inspiring his “love affair with history.” 

Upon returning to Bishop’s in 1998, Mr. Assaf was able to collaborate with teachers like Dr. Hennessy, who had laid the foundation of his teaching journey. He also got the opportunity to work with students whom he understood — whose shoes he had walked in for six years. He reminisced about the memories he made as a student and concluded, “The opportunity to teach [at Bishop’s] was like a dream.”

That dream became a reality felt by Mr. Assaf’s students in every class. Genevieve Wierzynski (‘28) explained that “there was never a dull moment in Mr. Assaf’s class.” Laird Murfey (‘28) agreed, saying, “He was constantly making jokes and making the class laugh.” Genevieve added that classes felt “more casual, but people still took the class seriously,” — a testament to Mr. Assaf’s skill in keeping students engaged. “It just made class more fun,” she summed up.

Logan Yockey (‘27) also explained, “[Mr. Assaf] isn’t just a teacher. I was able to make a personal connection with him.” When reflecting on Mr. Assaf’s commitment to his students, Logan added, “It’s cool because he hasn’t taught me for three years, but he still… comes to support me at games or asks me about them. He just doesn’t forget.” The students also repeatedly mentioned Mr. Assaf’s kindness and dedication to his students, whether that be saying hi or attending their games and plays.

His dedication not only shaped the experiences of his current students but also inspired many who once sat in his classroom to return as educators themselves.

Coach Kohl Simonds (‘12), physical education teacher, Assistant Boys’ Varsity Football Coach, and former student of Mr. Assaf, explained, “Sometimes people think it’s an act: this big, boisterous personality, the non-stop talking, and the constant checking in. You realize quickly he’s just nonstop himself always.” He added that he admires Mr. Assaf’s ability to be completely authentic and said, “I do strive to be more like that.”

Math Teacher Mr. David Johnston, a long-time friend of Mr. Assaf’s, also reflected on Mr. Assaf’s personality, saying, “He is so good about bringing people into his orbit and introducing people that wouldn’t ordinarily know each other. He serves as just such a fantastic example of how we should all approach the world.”

The energy and warmth of Mr. Assaf extend to his personal time as he engages in a range of hobbies, from playing basketball to walking his dogs to eating.

Outside of school and sports, Mr. Assaf finds quieter moments, like his daily walks with his dogs Buddy and Pepper. Until five years ago, Mr. Assaf was a self-proclaimed “dog skeptic.” But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Assaf, like many others, thought to himself, “‘Why don’t we just get a dog?’”

Pepper joined the Assaf family in 2020, and Buddy followed soon after in 2023. He described his experience getting a dog, saying, “Understanding the joy that they bring and the love that you have for them and that they have for you, has just been an epiphany.”

“I just said to myself, ‘wow, this is really exciting to have a dog and experience one,’” he added. “You don’t realize how wonderful they are until you have one,” he reflected, a fond smile spreading across his face.

Food is also integral to Mr. Assaf’s free time, giving him the chance to spend time with friends — especially fellow teachers — and experience different ethnicities through the cuisine. He aims to spread his curiosity to his students through history, saying, “History just opens students up to travel, to understanding diverse cultures, to understanding different opinions.”

Mr. Assaf explained he is trying to prioritize certain things, primarily his personal time. “I have to find time to rest,” he said, almost to himself, whether that be reading or walking, or just sitting down. He added that “school events can become time-consuming and overwhelming.” “It’s hard to attend every football game, every volleyball game, every alumni event,” he explained, “So I’ve set limits because I just need to have some non-Bishop’s weekends.”

Whether he’s telling stories in the classroom, coaching athletes through drills, or learning a new chord, Mr. Assaf brings energy and curiosity to everything he does. So are you fired up? He certainly is.