About Me
|
|
|
Academic and Professional Career:
I received my Bachelor of Arts degree from Grove City College in History with a minor Religious Studies in 2005. I also received my teaching certification from the Wheeling Jesuit University ACT program in 2008. I have 4 years experience working as a counselor in a short-term residential co-ed unit for adjudicated juvenile delinquents. I transitioned from that into doing contract work with the Pennsylvania Children and Youth Services, providing families with counseling and education in order to prevent foster care situations. My wife and I moved to Charlotte in August, 2011 where I began teaching Social Studies at Southwest Middle School.
Professional Awards and Certifications:
Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) Facilitator
ETS Excellence Award for Social Studies--Content Knowledge
Google for Education Certified + Chrome + Chromebooks
Involvement At Southwest Middle School
I am very proud of our Patriots team and all that we have accomplished. I hope that we can continue to strive for excellence in our school community. I am always open and looking for opportunities to serve our community in curriculum development, leadership, and school-wide and district policy development.
Global Elementary Model United Nations--2014/15 & 2015/16
Southwest Middle School LCAC Representative--2014/15
Team Lead--2013/14 & 2014/15
7th Grade TAC representative--2012/13 to 2015/16
South Learning Community Teacher of the Year Selection Committee--2014/15
Golf Coach--2014/15
Chess Club--2011/12 to 2013/14
NCDPI Item Scorer for World History--2016
Personal Life
Family:
My wife and I have been married since 2005. We are currently licensed foster parents, and have had two brothers (12 & 4) living with us since November 2014. Additionally, we are pursuing adoption of a young man from North Carolina (14). We've been trying to get him to our family since we first heard about him in September, 2014. We are not closed to the idea of adopting other children in the future. I think that my work in social services for almost 5 years has given me a perspective that there are so many children who need a family who loves them and cares about them. I know that I can't fix everything, but I have always wanted to make a difference in the lives of those who have been let down by their families in such catastrophic ways. We have a dog (Shelby) and cat (Madison.) I have two younger brothers. Matt worked for Google in California and is currently working for a start-up company. Andy is pursuing his musical aspirations in Nashville, TN. Both are tremendously talented and I'm so proud of them. My dad is a cancer survivor and my personal hero. He lost his leg but never his spirit to cancer, and has become an inspiration to hundreds of other amputees who have seen his example and realized that they don't have to let their traumatic event define their life. My mom's faith and dedication to our family have been an inspiration to all of us throughout life.
CMS Reads::
What I'm reading now: Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas
What I just finished reading: David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell and Crazy Love by Francis Chan
What I like to read: Medieval Fantasy (people running around with swords casting spells). Especially Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, History books (go figure right?)
Interests:
Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates
Golf and Disc Golf
Stratomatic Baseball
Saltwater Reef Aquariums (All pictures in slideshow below are mine)
Home Improvement Projects and Woodworking
Board Games
American Civil War Memorabilia and Old US Currency
I received my Bachelor of Arts degree from Grove City College in History with a minor Religious Studies in 2005. I also received my teaching certification from the Wheeling Jesuit University ACT program in 2008. I have 4 years experience working as a counselor in a short-term residential co-ed unit for adjudicated juvenile delinquents. I transitioned from that into doing contract work with the Pennsylvania Children and Youth Services, providing families with counseling and education in order to prevent foster care situations. My wife and I moved to Charlotte in August, 2011 where I began teaching Social Studies at Southwest Middle School.
Professional Awards and Certifications:
Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) Facilitator
ETS Excellence Award for Social Studies--Content Knowledge
Google for Education Certified + Chrome + Chromebooks
Involvement At Southwest Middle School
I am very proud of our Patriots team and all that we have accomplished. I hope that we can continue to strive for excellence in our school community. I am always open and looking for opportunities to serve our community in curriculum development, leadership, and school-wide and district policy development.
Global Elementary Model United Nations--2014/15 & 2015/16
Southwest Middle School LCAC Representative--2014/15
Team Lead--2013/14 & 2014/15
7th Grade TAC representative--2012/13 to 2015/16
South Learning Community Teacher of the Year Selection Committee--2014/15
Golf Coach--2014/15
Chess Club--2011/12 to 2013/14
NCDPI Item Scorer for World History--2016
Personal Life
Family:
My wife and I have been married since 2005. We are currently licensed foster parents, and have had two brothers (12 & 4) living with us since November 2014. Additionally, we are pursuing adoption of a young man from North Carolina (14). We've been trying to get him to our family since we first heard about him in September, 2014. We are not closed to the idea of adopting other children in the future. I think that my work in social services for almost 5 years has given me a perspective that there are so many children who need a family who loves them and cares about them. I know that I can't fix everything, but I have always wanted to make a difference in the lives of those who have been let down by their families in such catastrophic ways. We have a dog (Shelby) and cat (Madison.) I have two younger brothers. Matt worked for Google in California and is currently working for a start-up company. Andy is pursuing his musical aspirations in Nashville, TN. Both are tremendously talented and I'm so proud of them. My dad is a cancer survivor and my personal hero. He lost his leg but never his spirit to cancer, and has become an inspiration to hundreds of other amputees who have seen his example and realized that they don't have to let their traumatic event define their life. My mom's faith and dedication to our family have been an inspiration to all of us throughout life.
CMS Reads::
What I'm reading now: Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas
What I just finished reading: David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell and Crazy Love by Francis Chan
What I like to read: Medieval Fantasy (people running around with swords casting spells). Especially Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, History books (go figure right?)
Interests:
Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates
Golf and Disc Golf
Stratomatic Baseball
Saltwater Reef Aquariums (All pictures in slideshow below are mine)
Home Improvement Projects and Woodworking
Board Games
American Civil War Memorabilia and Old US Currency