Where I've Been

I was born and raised in Appleton, Wisconsin. As part of many young people's dream who grows up in the Midwest, I ventured to California to visit my sister and learn about the California culture. I found a job changing tires at Berkeley Tire in Berkeley, California. While in California, I suddenly realized that there was much more rewarding life if one pursues a higher education. Upon returning to the Midwest, I enrolled in the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. During my undergraduate studies, I decided study for a semester in Spain. So in 1991, I was chosen to be one of the two student leaders of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point overseas study program to Spain. In 1994, I student taught English as a Second Language abroad in San Jose, Costa Rica through UW-Platteville’s Overseas Practice Teaching program. I returned to finish my student teaching and I taught Exploratory Spanish and Spanish I to the students in Colby, Wisconsin at Colby Jr./Sr. High School. I earned a B.A. from UW-Stevens Point in December of 1994. In 1995, I taught Spanish and Bilingual Spanish to the middle school students at Ernie Pyle Middle School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Although I really enjoyed teaching in the Southwest, an overseas teaching opportunity presented itself. In 1996, I relocated to Venezuela to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) and I quickly became the ESL Coordinator at Escuela Bella Vista. Escuela Bella Vista is an accredited K-12 International School located in Maracaibo, Venezuela. During the summers 1995-1998, I returned to Wisconsin to teach ESL at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s English For College summer program. In August 2000, I earned a M.Ed. from Framingham State College through an on-site program in Venezuela. In summer 2001, I participated in the Michigan State University Graduate Studies in Education Overseas program. This Educational Technology Certificate program was held in Leysin, Switzerland. I finished my sixth academic year at Escuela Bella Vista. I interviewed with the Sheboygan Area School District during Spring break 2002, and I was hired shortly there after. So now I am an English Language Learner Teacher at Horace Mann Middle School.  

My Life as an Educator

What am I like as a teacher? My classroom is business-like, yet friendly. It is very important to have a structured, positive learning environment in order for all students to be engaged and for all students to succeed. I enjoy incorporating and encouraging cooperative learning strategies as well as individualized instruction for all student activities. I know that every student has a different learning style. I am aware of the different learning styles because my lessons teach to every child. I have been teaching for eight years and my favorite grade is sixth grade because I believe that we can greatly influence children at this level. I love to teach language through content. The most interesting subject for me is conservation. While in Venezuela I guided the students through the creation of a video called, Keep the Earth Green. This video was one of the highlights of my career as an educator. 

When I'm Not Working...

My hobbies and interests are many and varied.  I enjoy being connected to the World Wide Web. Communication with my family and friends is my number one past-time. I also enjoy reading, writing, poetry, camping, canoeing, bicycling, motorcycling, playing guitar, and traveling when the opportunity presents itself.  Most of all, I love to converse with my wife, Maria, about past, present and future life opportunities and challenges.

Web Sites I Like

Here are just a few of my favorite web sites that I visit and use frequently.