About Me

Personal/Professional Goals and Philosophy:

My number one personal and professional goal pertains to being a lifelong learner. I hope to get to the end of every day having learned something new. When we acquire a new skill that leads to a relatively permanent change in behavior, we've learned something. Mark Twain once said, "A man that picks a cat up by the tail learns a lesson he can learn in no other way." Too many times, people, in particular students, equate remembering with learning. Often, I hear students say, "The book said the definition of ____ is _____." In order for something to change our behavior, we must first understand it. Knowing and recognizing the definition is very different from understanding and learning the definition. Learning requires concentrated and meaningful focus.

I firmly believe all students are capable learners. However, we all learn slightly differently and at different rates. That means we have to go through the process of trial and error. We will fail when we try new things or different techniques. Learning takes practice and effort. I attempt to give students researched based techniques that help them accomplish the goal of learning. Taking notes and putting information into your own words are among the most successful techniques. When students say, "Oh, I don't learn that way", I hear "That sounds like way too much work and I'd rather do just enough to get by." All students are gifted learners. I am able to write history research papers. However, outside of changing oil or replacing a dead battery, I am not able to fix my car. I rely on someone who's learned far more about automobiles and understands how they work.

Knowledge is power. That's why so many places around the world want to limit access to education. It is a way to keep them in chains and limit their options in life. It's hard to know what you are missing, when you don't know WHAT you don't know.

When technology is used correctly, it can promote critical thinking among the students. However, many of people and students use technology as a toy not as a tool. In this use, technology serves to distract us from the task at hand and inhibits learning.

My goal in teaching is to create a positive learning environment for my students using a variety of teaching techniques and technology. Prepared students facilitate a productive and constructive learning environment. If students fail to look over, look up, or read the material, they come to class not knowing what they don't know. Students prepared for class can ask meaningful questions so that we can maximize the limited time we have each day.

Academic Experience:

I graduated from Postville High School in 1988. In the fall of 1988, I attended Wartburg College, graduating in the spring of 1992 with major degrees in U.S. History, World History, and Education. I student taught at Denver Community School District (Iowa) in the fall of 1991. In 2008, I received an Education Masters Degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment from Walden University. I plan to graduate from Western New Mexico University in the winter of 2014 with a Masters Degree Interdisciplinary Studies. Through this program, I took 9 hours of Political Science, 12 hours of Psychology, and 18 hours of History.

Research Experience:

Through Western New Mexico, I engaged in several intensive research projects. In Psychology of Learning, I researched best practices in creating a Digital Learning Environment. In Early Modern Europe, I delved into the historiography of women in late medieval Europe. For Latin America During the Cold War, I discovered the link between Guatemalan Civil War, which resulted in the genocide of indigenous people, and the raid in Postville. Lastly, during Inter-American Relations, I studied the history of immigration policy in the Americas.

The research encouraged to examine topics more deeply. Additionally, the papers challenged me academically and helped me continue my quest to be a life-long learner.

Work/Other Experience:

I began my teaching career at Bettendorf Middle School. I worked at Bettendorf from 1992-2002. While there, I taught 6th grade Social Studies and Computer. I coached 7th grade football 1992-1993, 8th grade boys basketball 1993-1998, assistant soccer 1993-1995, varsity girls cross country 1994-2001, assistant girls track 1996-1997, head girls track 1998-2002. With our current switch to a "one-on-one" laptop environment I am looking for more ways to integrate technology into the learning paradigm.

Personal Qualities:

As I reflect on what I want my legacy to be, I realize that few will remember me for my accomplishments. Accomplishments tend to collect stuff such as certificates, plaques, paper, etc. In college, one of my professors told us that P.H.D. stood for holder of a “post hole digger” degree. In other words, it was a piece of paper and it meant nothing unless he did something with the knowledge he gained. At that moment, the accomplishment or recognition seemed important but with time that importance becomes lost, blurred, or dimmed.

As a coach, I discuss what legacy means with my athletes at the beginning and end of each season. In essence, I ask them for what do they as a team want to be remembered. More times than not, they come to the conclusion that no one will really ever remember their won or lost record nor the points scored. People remember competitiveness, sportsmanship, and whether or not you competed with a sense of class.

When I talk to students, I attempt to let them know my focus is on them. At the end of each day, I hope all students felt I gave them a fair shake and their due. If I’ve lived my life well when people speak of me, they use words such as fair, honest, hardworking, integrity, disciplined, driven, focused, loving, empathetic, and humble. I hope I do all that with a sense of class.

My parents worked hard. They milked cows and raised my brothers and sisters when they were sick, hurt, and was just plain flat out tired. They did so not expecting praise or thanks. They did it because it needed to be done. A legacy is something that is handed down from generation to another. It is something that needs to be earned by actions and deeds. I wouldn’t be where I am today if my parents, family, teachers, and coaches hadn’t shown me the road.