After 20 years of amazing work for de Toledo, Mrs. Kamenir retired, leaving our school to find someone to fill her shoes of 10th Grade Dean. That’s when Mr. Cox came into play: a parent and educator who had never worked in a private school before, but carried many years in education and administration.
Cox grew up right here in the valley, attending Laurence School for junior high before moving on to Chatsworth High School. As a student, Cox struggled and felt there was never quite enough help. While Mr. Cox was in high school, he already started working with students with the most need, inspired by his own struggles.
Mr. Cox wanted to focus on history specifically, and what sparked his passion was the widely known film series, Indiana Jones, and from then on learning about history always just stuck. Cox went on to study education at San Diego State University.
He recalls his first time stepping on the de Toledo campus with his son, Jacob, recent de Toledo graduate: “When I first visited, I immediately thought that it was the right fit for my son, and I loved the tight knit community, although it was definitely different from what I’m used to.”
When asked what the biggest difference between working at a public school versus a private school is, he responded, “Definitely the support, socially and academically, the hands-on approach really offers more opportunities and better outcomes.”
Of course we are so grateful for our new 10th grade dean, but there are two others who were even more excited for his arrival. Aden and Laila! Mr. Cox’s boy and girl twins were simultaneously excited about their first day at de Toledo!
The twins have both expressed that having their dad at school has been nothing short of perfect. Aden voiced, “Having my dad at school has been amazing because I’ve been able to leave school [earlier than I used to] and work on my academic duties. I’m especially looking forward to having him as my dean because then I’ll be favored,” although Mr. Cox is known as a fair dean. Alternatively, Laila said, “It has been so nice to see him more, and I’m not as excited to have him as a dean because he’ll be harder on me.”
Our new dean is true to himself no matter where he is. His children expressed that “there is not a single difference between my dad at home versus school,” said Aden.
Not only are his children so lucky to have him at school but so is the sophomore class!
Zoe W. ‘29 felt that Mr. Cox is “welcoming and very big on growing the sophomore grade closer together and really adamant on that dTHS motto of +A human being.”
Many students admitted that since he’s been dean, the atmosphere has changed. Presley S. ‘29 said, “His warm and kind demeanor is contagious.”
Outside of school, Cox thoroughly enjoys surfing and all things beach. He shared, “If I wasn’t a teacher I would for sure open a surf shop in Costa Rica and live out there.”
Overall, the sophomore class is ready to take on this 2026-2027 school year under the leadership of Mr. Cox!