About me

I first stepped into the classroom 20 years ago in San Francisco Unified, where I taught English to a diverse group of urban high school students who inspired me to pursue a career in education. An English teacher at heart, but also a lover of science, nature, and art, I strive to make my classroom a reflection of the real world, so that learning always occurs in a dynamic, interdisciplinary context. In 2012, I earned a national innovative teaching award for a program I created that fused English, theatre, science, and gardening into a fully integrated school-wide program at Odyssey Charter School in Altadena. I truly believe that learning happens best when a subject, problem, or question is viewed through multiple lenses and understood through the contexts of different disciplines. English is a great medium to engage students in this type of multi-perspective learning.

My education includes a B.A. in English from Sonoma State University, a teaching credential from San Francisco State University, and a Masters in Urban Sustainability from Antioch University Los Angeles. While I love being a student, the best education I've received comes from being a father, a teacher, and an observer of the natural world. I've learned to always keep a sense joy and of wonder at the core of everything I do. When I'm not in the classroom, you'll find me gardening, woodworking, coaching my son's baseball team, hiking, playing tennis, reading, trying to play the guitar, and of course, spending as much time as possible with my family (wife and three kids).

I'm excited begin another year with the wonderful community of staff and students at La Canada High School.