About Mr. Snyder

Hi There, You found my biography. Here's a little bit about me...

I moved to San Diego 30-something years ago to attend UCSD in La Jolla. San Diego was much smaller then, and between classes you could hike in the fields behind UCSD for hours. The area is now called the "Golden Triangle". During that time I was able to explore parts of natural San Diego that no longer exist. I am a dyed-in-the-wool nature lover.

I live in South Park with 3 dogs and over a 1000 orchid species from all over the world. Orchids are more than pretty flowers. In fact, they are fascinating organisms that comprise the largest, in terms of species, family of flowering plants. Their ecological role and complex relationships with other organisms make them quite special life forms. If you have an hour to kill, ask me about why I think orchids are fascinating enough to grow them for over 50 years! I even enjoy painting pictures of my plants when they bloom.

I graduated from UCSD with a degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on Mandarin. I spent a brief time in the People's Republic of China, where I learned I am happier stateside. After some work experience, I attended USD and earned my multiple subject teaching credential. Later, also at USD, I received my MA in education, with a focus on teaching STEAM curriculum. In between I did a 2 year stint at SDSU where I honed my professional toolkit with continued studies in mathematics pedagogy.

How did I get here? I began at Grant by being a student teacher for 6th grade under the tutelage of Mrs. Altman. I knew I was in a special place then, just as I do now. 11 years later, I was fortunate enough to actually get a job teaching at Grant. At the time we were a Math/Science Magnet School, and Grant had students from all over the city. It was a wonderful program, and I was was lucky enough to run the Mathematics / Computer Lab in the lower loft.

Over time things changed, and eventually I taught 4th and 5th graders at Grant. During my time at Grant I developed an advocacy for the "Maker Movement." Have you ever heard of a Maker Faire? I developed an interest in programming and electronics. (It was always there, only it was a "banned" activity at home, as I tended to blow fuses in the house with my experiments. I had to wait 45 years to take up that old interest. There's a cautionary tale there I think...) In that milieu I discovered Arduino. The teaching potential was obvious to me, but it took educational institutions another 10 years to get on board. I didn't give up on my Arduino/computer science gospel, and for that I have zero regrets.

My prescience paid off. Though there were many steps in between, those interests and passions eventually led to me earning an additional credential in order to setup a computer science and engineering lab for Grant students. Thus we have the Grant Engineerium. Welcome aboard!