Hello! I’m Jonny. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for checking out my profile. I believe that making an adoption plan is the most selfless, generous, and profound act of love that a human being can undertake; please know that even though I haven't yet met you, you already amaze me.

Adoption has touched my life in many ways. One of my aunts made an adoption plan before I was born, and one of my cousins was adopted as an infant by a different aunt and uncle. I've seen the way that adoption changes lives for the better, and I've always known that it's how I'd become a dad.

I live in sunny Southern California, where I was born and raised. I lived on the East Coast for about 10 years, first in Boston and then the greater NYC area. I loved my time there, but I missed my family. Also, it turns out I'm just not winter-compatible!

If I had to describe what’s important in my life, I’d say my friends, my family, my work, and becoming a dad.

My friends make me laugh, and they've been there through the tough times; they also keep me humble and give honest advice. My family is a firm foundation, and I feel lucky to have their support and unconditional love. Teaching gives me a sense of purpose, lots of smiles, lots of laughter, and a strong understanding of how to be a good dad.

I love teaching. I have taught kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade, and working with these little ones is truly the most meaningful thing I've done in my life, so far. I love seeing their eyes light up when they "get it", and it’s a privilege to witness a little glimpse of the way they see the world.

I also love the camaraderie I feel with my fellow teachers; it's a team sport! Also, the epically hilarious quotes my students always leave me with: *chef's kiss*

As a teacher, I’m constantly reading research about managing kids’ behavior; I use research-based positive classroom management strategies at school, and I intend to use those same strategies at home. This involves lots of positive reinforcement, redirection of negative behavior, and using natural consequences to correct unwanted behavior. It will never involve fear-based tactics.

It's strange to write about oneself, but here's a few things that are super important to me:

• Treating people with kindness
• Making some sort of difference in the world
• Laughing, crying, feeling all the feels
• Human connection and understanding people as they are

As a single gay man I've kind of figured out that I really like being single. I am very content as an individual human being; while I can't predict the future, my assumption is that I'll be the primary parent raising my child, with my family and friends playing an essential but secondary role.

"Jonny is a man of his word, and his word comes from a loving and compassionate place in his heart." – Matt

"Jonny puts others before himself in all things...he possesses the highest level of empathy for the experience of others. He knows that family can be the one we're born into as well as the one we choose to create." – Lawrence

"Jonny will provide a home full of love and music! His eagerness to understand and accept people will make him a loving father." - Raul

"Jonny is one of the kindest, most giving, and most patient people I've ever met. He truly listens to kids and tries to make them feel cared for and respected...he's one of the few people I'd trust with my own child, who adores him and calls him 'Uncle Jonny'." – Gina

I live for music. I've been singing since I was a very little guy and playing the piano since high school. I was a music major in undergrad at Berklee College of Music, and I'm a singer/songwriter in my spare time.

I love to cook, and I love to eat.

I really enjoy gardening; Southern California is experiencing water scarcity, so I've gotten into drought-resistant plants.

I also really love DIY home improvement; I put the backsplash in our kitchen, made a bench for our entry, and tiled my bathroom all by myself!

I live in Fontana, a city of about 220,000 people about an hour east of Los Angeles in what is called the Inland Empire of Southern California. We're located at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, less than an hour from lakes, skiing, off-road activities, and more; we are also about an hour and a half from the best beaches in Southern California. Closer to home we have great parks, an aquatic center, hiking, and biking trails. Our local elementary school has an 8/10 ranking on GreatSchools.org, and we have great medical centers just minutes away.

I love the house that my family and I bought; it meets our needs so well. I love my "side" of the upstairs, where my bedroom and bathroom are, and where my future little one's room is. I love to come home from work, hang out with my family and eat dinner together, and then retreat to my room to sit at my piano and play and sing, read, write, or just watch a bit of TV.

Dimitri is our Boxer Mastiff pup (He's 6 years old, but all dogs are pups in my book!). He is 95 pounds of absolute push-over sweetness. He is a big dog and looks intimidating to some, but he's a lovable goofball who loves the kiddos in our lives; we know he will also fall in love with my little one as well.

Because my immediate family lives together, my mom, dad, and brother will be an integral part of my little one's everyday life. We are a fun bunch! My mom and dad are both retired. My mom was a childcare director for 30 years, and she can't wait to be a grandma! My dad was in sales, and I can already see him making silly grandpa faces. My brother is an auto mechanic; he's great with kids and eager to be Uncle Bryan. As a family we love to cook, laugh, and have friends over.

I have four "core friends" who are my family as much as my brother and parents. Raul was actually my boyfriend for a number of years; we still remain extremely close, and I never make a big decision without his advice. I met Gina as a first grader, and our shared experiences have made us inseparable; I visit her family in Oregon several times a year. Lawrence was my high school choir director, and he became a mentor and a cheerleader as well as a "text every day" friend. Matt and I met in music school; we just truly "get" each other as humans. We were roommates while living in New York, and I'm so grateful that he moved back to California shortly after I did.

I want you to know that you will always be celebrated in your child's life. I look forward to learning more about you and what level of communication you would like to have with your child as they grow up!

I'm so grateful you've taken the time to learn a bit about me and the awesome humans I have in my life. Here is my commitment to you should you choose me as your child's adoptive parent:

• They will know unending, unconditional love.
• They will be parented with gentle guidance while being held to high expectations.
• They will be cherished exactly as they are, and encouraged to pursue what makes them feel meaning and fulfillment.
• They will be taught to celebrate uniqueness and difference, and they'll learn how to disagree respectfully.
• They will see a family who cares for the planet and spreads love.

I thank you again for your time, and I send positive vibes your way.