Zach grew up in Berkeley and has spent most of his life in Northern California, with the exception of his undergraduate studies in Iowa and 18 months of study in Paris. He earned his BA in French from Grinnell College, his PhD in French from UC Davis, and his teaching credential from Dominican University of California. At O’Dowd, he teaches French using an adaptation of the Communicative Method, emphasizing meaningful language use within both grammatical and cultural contexts. He values the school’s vibrant community and the opportunities it provides to build strong relationships with students and colleagues. Outside the classroom, he practices piano and helps lead a French literature book club.