This will be my 12th year teaching at Mahomet-Seymour Junior High. I received my B.S. in Math and Secondary Education from the University of Illinois. I then earned a Master of Divinity and spend 17 years as a youth pastor in Chicago, Ohio and Champaign.
In a twist of fate, I actually student-taught under the direction of Frank Dutton at Mahomet-Seymour High School (a few years back). Prior to coming here, my teaching experience includes teaching as a substitute in the Chicago suburbs, as wells as teaching as a full-time 8th grade math teacher for 3 years in Champaign (Franklin Middle School). I have also spent 6 summers teaching high school Algebra, working as an instructor in the Merit Workshop Program through the University of Illinois, presenting a workshop at a technology in education conference in Springfield, presenting at several national educational conferences (the Association of Middle Level Education and College Preparatory Math), and teaching as an adjunct faculty at Urbana Theological Seminary. For the past 5 summers I have had the privilege of teaching a Lego Mindstorm class and a VEX IQ Robotics class at Parkland College (College for Kids Program). In addition to all of that work, I have worked with College Preparatory Math (CPM) doing research within my classroom for the past 2 years. I will continue that this coming year. If you would like to know more, please feel free to ask. |
My FamilyI love my family. I have been married for 27 years, have two incredible daughters (ages 24 and 21), and love the time spent with them.
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Math GuruMy daughters label me a math nerd, but I just happen to love math … and I love making math fun and interesting for my students. Thus, I prefer the term math guru!
I also know WAY too much trivia. As my children often tell me, "You know way too much useless information." They keep encouraging me to go on a television game show. |
Fisherman ExtraordinnaireOne of my passions -- and certainly my main hobby -- is fishing. I love to fish (actually, it is the catching part that I find most enjoyable). I spend as many days as possible exploring local ponds and subdivision lakes.
Each year, I have the privilege to spend a week in the Boundary Waters wilderness area in northern Minnesota -- an experience unlike any other. In addition, I have spent time on Lake Shelbyville, Lake Clinton and Lake of the Woods. If you know of any "hot spots" ... PLEASE share those with me :) I am willing to take students out fishing as a part of my desire to give back to the community. If you have any fishermen in your family, please let me know! |