About me...

    I grew up in Munger, Michigan.  It was a very small town.  So small in fact, that after first grade, they closed down the school due to low enrollment.  I was shipped off to St. Hyacinth's School each day after waking the rooster.  I attended Bay City Central High School until my father's employment brought us to Haslett, Michigan.  I attended Haslett High and played Quiz Bowl for three years.  Bad knees from freshman football ended my hopes of playing pro football.

    I spent my formative post high school years working at Kroger.  The variety of influences and experiences there gave me the vision that teaching was really where my passion was.  I attended Lansing Community College and transferred to Michigan State University.  I graduated in 1994 and split my elementary education internship between Haslett (4th grade) and Lansing (2nd grade).  

    After completing the internship, I returned to Kroger and moved up into a management role.  After starting out during high school, I advanced from a lowly bagger boy / cart jockey, then to meat wrapper, next to lunchmeat lad, then to meat processor guy (they wouldn't call us butchers, because then they'd have to pay us more), and finally, STORE CO-MANAGER!  I was assigned Kroger #887, the Holmes / M.L.K. Jr. store on the south side of Lansing.  It was quite an experience, as any former student could share some of my shop-lifter stories with you.  

    My final tour with Kroger lasted until August of 1996, when I.H.M. - St. Casimir Middle School offered me an opportunity to fulfill my dream of teaching.  I taught Social Studies to 6th - 7th - 8th grade students.  For the following two years, I had the pleasure of team teaching (6ME) with Mrs. Nancy Murphy.  I taught Math, Social Studies, Religion, and we team taught Science.  Then in the summer of 1999, a new opportunity presented itself, Laingsburg Elementary.

    I've taught at Laingsburg Elementary since 1999.  Each year provides new avenues and opportunities.  In 2000 - 2001 & 2001 - 2002 our class had the chance to participate in the Big History Lesson at the Michigan Historical Center in Lansing, Michigan.  Mrs. Margaret Holtschag, the 1998-99 Michigan Teacher of the Year, coordinated the project.  Students had an incredible learning experience, spending a week at the museum.  In 2003 - 2004 my students participated in the Big Science Lesson at the Michigan State University Museum.  There is nothing comparable to having the opportunity to teach "out in the REAL WORLD!"  My students in 2004 - 2005 will also be able to share in this incredible learning experience!

    This past school year 2003 - 2004, I was awarded the Laingsburg Educator of the Year Award.  I pride myself on putting my heart & soul into my teaching and in building partnerships with parents & students by establishing a true LEARNING COMMUNITY within my classroom.  It is so heartwarming to have my former students return to share how their lives have progressed since leaving my classroom, and knowing & hearing that I had a small part to play in their many successes.  I look forward this year to have the honor & opportunity to share your children for 180 days, be a positive influence on them, and help them to achieve their dreams & goals.

    I am married to a wonderful lady named Kathy.  We've been married since 1994.  We have two darling children, Joshua & Katelyn.