About Me
About Me
The 2022-2023 school year begins my eighth as a Teacher.
The 2022-2023 school year begins my eighth as a Teacher.
(Not just ) a little about me:
(Not just ) a little about me:
I was an "Army Brat," until my dad retired from his Military service as an Army officer in 1977, the summer of my 18th birthday. I lost count of how many houses we lived in, but my dad was stationed on various bases in Southern California, Arizona, Texas, Alabama, and Georgia, as well as two bases in Germany (Mannheim and Heidelberg). My favorite joke about growing up is, "I was in the Army for 18 years, and then my dad retired."
I was an "Army Brat," until my dad retired from his Military service as an Army officer in 1977, the summer of my 18th birthday. I lost count of how many houses we lived in, but my dad was stationed on various bases in Southern California, Arizona, Texas, Alabama, and Georgia, as well as two bases in Germany (Mannheim and Heidelberg). My favorite joke about growing up is, "I was in the Army for 18 years, and then my dad retired."
I weathered high school and received my diploma in 1977 from Desert High School, located on Edwards Air Force Base, in the Mojave Desert, in California, and moved to San Diego, California with my mom, dad and younger brother, Kelly.
I weathered high school and received my diploma in 1977 from Desert High School, located on Edwards Air Force Base, in the Mojave Desert, in California, and moved to San Diego, California with my mom, dad and younger brother, Kelly.
I began my college experience in 1978, taking basketball, Art and Water Safety Instruction, completing a basic education at Grossmont College in May 1981, earning an A.A (Associate of Arts) degree in General Education.
I began my college experience in 1978, taking basketball, Art and Water Safety Instruction, completing a basic education at Grossmont College in May 1981, earning an A.A (Associate of Arts) degree in General Education.
I entered the Graphics field in the summer of 1983, after leaving college at California State University at Long Beach, one semester shy of earning my B.A. (major life mistake #1), at the behest of my first wife, Megan.
I entered the Graphics field in the summer of 1983, after leaving college at California State University at Long Beach, one semester shy of earning my B.A. (major life mistake #1), at the behest of my first wife, Megan.
In 1987, after 300 classroom hours, I received a Certificate in Desktop Publishing, where I began my love of Adobe Illustrator88. (This was before Adobe Photoshop was designed, programed and became a household name).
In 1987, after 300 classroom hours, I received a Certificate in Desktop Publishing, where I began my love of Adobe Illustrator88. (This was before Adobe Photoshop was designed, programed and became a household name).
After my first divorce (yes, there was more than one), in 1995, I returned to school to complete the courses required and receive my B.A., (Bachelor of Arts) degree in General Fine Art, from Long Beach State.
After my first divorce (yes, there was more than one), in 1995, I returned to school to complete the courses required and receive my B.A., (Bachelor of Arts) degree in General Fine Art, from Long Beach State.
Also in 1995, I took a 200-hour course and received a Certificate in Multimedia from the Foundation College, learning the rudiments of MacroMedia Director and Adobe Photoshop.
Also in 1995, I took a 200-hour course and received a Certificate in Multimedia from the Foundation College, learning the rudiments of MacroMedia Director and Adobe Photoshop.
From 2003 - 2005, after 20 years in the Graphics industry, I once again returned to school to begin training as an Art Teacher, through National University. Offered a full-time position as a Project Manager and Graphic Designer for Southwest Strategies, the largest Public Relations firm in San Diego, I took a hiatus from my studies.
From 2003 - 2005, after 20 years in the Graphics industry, I once again returned to school to begin training as an Art Teacher, through National University. Offered a full-time position as a Project Manager and Graphic Designer for Southwest Strategies, the largest Public Relations firm in San Diego, I took a hiatus from my studies.
I was laid off from Southwest Strategies in October 2008, returned to National University to perform my Student Teaching under the tutelage of Keith Opstad -- Master-Teacher extraordinaire, completing and receiving my Single Subject Teaching Credential in Art, as well as a Masters Degree in Education in 2009.
I was laid off from Southwest Strategies in October 2008, returned to National University to perform my Student Teaching under the tutelage of Keith Opstad -- Master-Teacher extraordinaire, completing and receiving my Single Subject Teaching Credential in Art, as well as a Masters Degree in Education in 2009.
After a year of substitute teaching in the Poway School District, I was hired to teach Visual Art and Design at Kearny High School's Science, Connections & Technology, Principaled by one of my closest friends, Derek Morris. I taught for 3 years at SCT until a change in the administration dissolved the need for my position, and became a Substitute Teacher again.
After a year of substitute teaching in the Poway School District, I was hired to teach Visual Art and Design at Kearny High School's Science, Connections & Technology, Principaled by one of my closest friends, Derek Morris. I taught for 3 years at SCT until a change in the administration dissolved the need for my position, and became a Substitute Teacher again.
After a long-term substitute position at the School of Creative Performing Media Arts for the latter half of the 2013-14 school year, and a replacement contract at Mission Hills High School in San Marcos, for the second half of the 2014-15 year, I once again connected with Mr. Derek Morris at the Creative Performing Media Arts Middle School, teaching Fine Art and Multimedia Design (Digital Art), where I currently facilitate the exploration of all things Visual Art. Who am I? Here's a link to my bio page from CPMA's website (for the 2017-2018 school year).
After a long-term substitute position at the School of Creative Performing Media Arts for the latter half of the 2013-14 school year, and a replacement contract at Mission Hills High School in San Marcos, for the second half of the 2014-15 year, I once again connected with Mr. Derek Morris at the Creative Performing Media Arts Middle School, teaching Fine Art and Multimedia Design (Digital Art), where I currently facilitate the exploration of all things Visual Art. Who am I? Here's a link to my bio page from CPMA's website (for the 2017-2018 school year).
My favorite pastimes are Educational Technology (as evidenced by the re-purchase of TEDfolio.com and the creation of, and on-going updating of this site), reading Graphic Novels (primarily of the Superhero genre),drawing Cartoons, studying scripture, and traveling the country to visit with my children.
My favorite pastimes are Educational Technology (as evidenced by the re-purchase of TEDfolio.com and the creation of, and on-going updating of this site), reading Graphic Novels (primarily of the Superhero genre),drawing Cartoons, studying scripture, and traveling the country to visit with my children.