Mr. Schnider

I've been teaching since 2003. Prior to that I was a million different things. Growing up, I'd hoped to be a professional athlete and musician. In elementary school I participated in two memorable productions but was terribly afraid of singing in public. My music teacher actually refused to cast me in the production when I was in 6th grade because I wouldn't sing for her. Later she cast me in the production anyway, and when another student became ill on the night of the show, I was asked to take his role as well.

In middle and high school, I participated in sports. During my senior year, when friends were auditioning for a play, I went along. As it turned out, I was cast, but many of my friends were not. That was my introduction to theatre. I performed in all the productions that year, finally playing the lead role of Lt. Cable in South Pacific.

I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre degree from Missouri State University in 1994. While attending, I produced an original operetta (a comic opera) based on a short story by Truman Capote. This production was invited to the Flint Hills Festival in 1995. Also while attending I wrote and produced an original children's musical and two other original plays. I had opportunities to direct, act, dance and sing in a number of theatrical productions. My most moving experience in theatre would most certainly be my participation in the St. Louis Premiere of Floyd Collins. (Link to page talking about the production)

In 2003, I made one of the best decisions of my life and chose to become a teacher. Since that time I've received my Masters of Teaching degree from Lindenwood University and teaching certification in Missouri.

I met Mrs. Schnider, while in college and we were married in 1996. The funny story of our first meeting involves my wife auditioning for a play I was directing --she didn't get a part, but she did get a date! Mrs. S heads up the Kirkwood High School Drama Department. She is also a professional actress who is well known in the St. Louis theatre community. We have three children, a boy who was born in 2000 and two girls born in 2005 and 2009.

If you get the chance, try to remember to ask me about my humorous stories of family and stage experiences including: Toes, The Watch, Mold, Fire! and My Favorite Year. There are many others, but those are biggies!

In the summer of 2008, I was lucky enough to be part of the Rockwood Grand Teton Yellowstone Adventure with eighty Rockwood Middle School students.

Most recently, I've written several of the plays produced here at school. "Horror Hike Whodunit? or Horror Haiku Done it!", "The Gainesville Gazette Calamity Sensation" and "Sleep Study".