I WAS BORN IN 1950 ON SEPTEMBER 13TH IN FREEPORT ILLINOIS ... MOVED TO MICHIGAN WHEN I WAS 12.  I GRADUATED IN 1968 FROM FLINT NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL WITH A CLASS SIZE OF 728, ABOUT THE SAME SIZE AS ALL OF GENESEE.  I SERVED TWO TOURS OF DUTY IN VIETNAM.  I HAVE AN ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE FROM MOTT COLLEGE.  A BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN.  A MASTERS IN EDUCATION - CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION, FROM FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY AND A LEARNING DISABILITIES ENDORSEMENT FROM SAGINAW VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY.  I WORKED IN BUSINESS, OWNING TWO BUSINESS' OF MY OWN BEFORE I STARTED TEACHING 7 1/2 YEARS AGO AT GENESEE.  I AM MARRIED WITH TWO SONS WHO BOTH GRADUATED FROM GENESEE.  MY OLDEST WORKS IN ENGLAND FOR PFIZER AS A RESEARCH CHEMIST AND MY YOUNGEST WORKS FOR THE STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.  I LOVE GENESEE AND TEACHING BUT MOST OF ALL I LOVE THE STUDENTS.  I HAVE HAD THE HONOR OF COACHING CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK & FIELD HERE.  IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER AND WILL BE OUT FOR AT LEAST 6 - 8 WEEKS IF NOT LONGER.  I WILL DO MY BEST TO FIGHT THIS AND RETURN TO THE STUDENTS AND THE WORK I LOVE.  IN THE MEANTIME, I EXPECT YOU TO DO AND TO BE THE BEST YOU POSSIBLY CAN, REMEMBERING THAT WHAT YOU DO IS FOR YOU AND NO ONE ELSE AND YOUR ACTIONS OR INACTIONS ONLY REFLECT UPON YOURSELF AND NO ONE ELSE.  YOU CAN BE A LEADER WHO HELPS RAISE PEOPLE TO A HIGHER LEVEL OR YOU CAN CHOOSE TO TAKE YOURSELF DOWN A PATH THAT NONE OF US, DEEP IN OUR HEARTS, TRULY WANTS BY MAKING POOR CHOICES.  I BELIEVE YOU WILL ALL CHOOSE WHAT IS RIGHT.  BE SMART, BE GOOD AND BE KIND ...  MR. BEST  SEPTEMBER 02, 2008