The 2009-2010 school year will be my 25th year in teaching. I spent sixteen years at Cowan Fundamental School where I taught sixth grade for five years, fifth grade for three years and fourth grade for eight years. This will be my ninth year at Del Paso Manor and all of those years have been in the fourth grade, Rapid Learner Program. I am a product of San Juan Schools and graduated from Del Campo High School. I went to college at CSUS and graduated with honors in 1984. I even did my student teaching in San Juan schools and first worked at DPM in 1984 as a student teacher. I earned my Master's Degree in 2000 in curriculum and instruction, but the program was truly a technology program. Besides 24 previous school years, I have taught summer school for 20 years in grades K-6. I am a local boy, through and through, spending all my years in the Sacramento area.
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My wife and I just celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary last July. Together, we have a wonderful daughter who graduated from Casa Roble High School last June. She attends the University of California, San Diego where she is an art history major. My wife has nearly completed her graphic arts degree from CSUS. When I have time, I love being outside. Hiking just about anywhere and riding my mountain bike on the American River Parkway are two of the best things to do, ever. I enjoy working out and playing football and basketball. I am involved in mentoring, which is something I profoundly believe in and devote myself to doing. I love the 49ers; they will be good again someday. I also enjoy the Sacramento Kings and the San Francisco Giants. I love to work in my yard and create peaceful settings in which to relax. Amusement parks, Magic Mountain especially, are the best and riding rollercoasters really fast, upside down and backwards is tons of fun! Of course, what makes it all even better is a giant cup of coffee and music blasting from my iPod nearby.
I have been a two-time finalist for San Juan Teacher of the year. I was nominated for a Disney Award for Creativity in Education. I was also nominated for a Community of the Heart award, which meant a great deal to me. I am currently a nominee for Hoagies Gifted Educator of the Year. I've been included in Who's Who in Education in three different editions. My classes have been featured in the Sacramento Bee numerous times for a variety of things. We have had articles written about websites we've made, a technology show we put on, and numerous articles about Science Night. My class was once featured in GEMS Network News for walking in a swimming pool of Oobleck!
I truly enjoy working with gifted students. The day is always entertaining, and one never knows where any topic will lead. I am lucky to be in a situation where my creative energies can be put forth in the classroom and I can develop curriculum that is specially fitted to each individual class. I love creating curriculum and then implementing it. It always amazes me what my students can create and the ideas that come forward in room 15 each and every day are those which leave me with a positive feeling about the future. We are developing thinkers at DPM and that is what education needs at this time. Teaching in the rapid learner program really is a, "Get them started and then get out of the way" situation. It is outstanding to have the opportunity to work with the leaders of tomorrow. |
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