About Me

I have been teaching professionally for 15 years, 14 within the Greater Johnstown School District. I am a member of the Social Studies Department at Johnstown High School where I teach American History I. This course covers American History from the Revolutionary Period to the End of the Civil War (1865). I also serve as the Athletic Director (Greater Johnstown Athletic Home Page) and Head Boys Varsity Baseball Coach at Johnstown High School. In the past I also served JHS Football Radio Broadcaster on WCRO - 1230, Statistician for the Varsity Football Team.

Football Team, and often Tweet the Football & Basketball Games. I have coached summer baseball in the City of Johnstown for the past 17 years. The past two summers, I served as an assistant coach with Martella's in the AAABA League, who became the 1st Johnstown team ever to win the AAABA National Championship in 2018. I have also coached in the Johnstown Pony League with the B. Hale Boilers, who won 15 City Championships and made it to the Pony World Series 9 times.

My passion for History and Social Studies started on the evening of November 9, 1989. Just after my 9th Birthday, I was playing in the living room as my Father,Larry, was watching the Nightly News. NBC News had Tom Brokow broadcasting humans tearing down a cement wall and celebrating. For some reason, I found it fascinating that people were tearing down a wall with sledgehammers and celebrating, yet no one was attempting to put a stop to it.

Inquisitively, I asked my Dad, what was the big deal about people destroying this wall. My Father, who at the time was a blue-collard steel mill worker for Bethlehem Steel explained the significance of this moment in history. I'll never forget the story he told that night of the Berlin Wall, especially how it related to World War II and the Cold War. He even went on to tell me that his father fought in World War II (This was a special story for me because my Grandfather passed away prior to my birth). We watched the news broadcast for hours that night and my Father kept my attention the entire time. Since that moment, my passion for History and Social Studies has only grown. The very next year in school, I was assigned to research the country of Germany as a 4th Grader. My Mother, Betty, helped me research the country and taught me how interesting reading and learning could be. My mother continued to help me nightly on my project investigating this newly reunited country. I would like to thank both of my parents for developing my passion for this field at such a young age. Without their love, support, and guidance I would not have accomplished my success in fulfilling my passion to teach History and Social Studies.

Certification:

Level II Pennsylvania State Certification, Secondary Education Social Studies Grades 7-12

Education:

- Indiana University of Pennsylvania 2005 Secondary Education - Social Studies

- Fresno Pacific University - Post Graduate Work - Incorporating Technology In the Classroom

Experience

Fall 2005 Student Teacher - Greater Johnstown High School

Spring 2006 Long-Term Sub Position - Westmont Hilltop High School

2006-2007 Full Time Social Studies Teacher Ligonier Valley High School

2007-Present Full Time Social Studies Teacher at Johnstown High School