About Aaron

I am originally from Portland, Oregon, but in my eight years of teaching experience I have lived and taught in many parts of the world and I am currently teaching at Journeys School in beautiful Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I am passionate about teaching Chemistry and Biology through hands-on investigations and the creative use of technology. My goal is to make science subjects relevant to all my students while emphasizing environmental consciousness and global awareness and understanding. I’ve had the opportunity to teach in a variety of environments, from my first teaching position at a public high school in ‘Little Haiti’ in North Miami, Florida, to an international school in rural Sichuan Province in SW China. I recently taught at an IB School in Belo Horizonte, Brazil and an experiential IB school in beautiful Jackson Hole, Wyoming at the foot of the Tetons. I have experience teaching both IB and AP curriculum and have also taught Environmental Science, Physical Science, and Design Technology.I have a diverse skill set including a Rice University undergraduate degree in Bioengineering and experience working as an R&D Engineer, developing advanced composite materials for cars. I use my unique background to create challenging and intellectually stimulating instructional programs for students with varied interests and learning styles. My goal as a teacher is to make normally intimidating subjects in science both exciting and approachable. I have worked with a range of students, many of whom are English Language Learners, and differentiate instruction to meet the individual needs of each student. I am always seeking to improve my teaching through professional development and the use of technology in the classroom.

As I think back on my first international teaching experience in China, I remember facing many cultural challenges. Living in a rural area where few Western tourists venture, the locals would often stop and stare at me, sometimes even rubbing their eyes in disbelief. As a ‘lao wai´ in China, I was treated like a sort of alien life form. Although discomforting, their reaction was really just a result their incredible curiosity and fascination with the West. On reflection, my experience in China was heart-opening and it extended from the classroom into the community: volunteer teaching for 4th and 5th graders who were Sichuan Earthquake victims, visiting a local teacher's peasant family far up in a remote mountain village, and having Sichuan hot pot at a big round table with my students. I feel so lucky that my teaching has allowed me to live in other parts of the world and has given me wonderful opportunities to travel in many parts of China, Japan, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, and Brazil. I am a fluent speaker of Portuguese, as well as advanced Spanish, and basic Mandarin. My passion for other cultures and unique places has helped me to grow a lot as a teacher and as a global citizen.

My teaching is grounded in a holistic educational philosophy that strives to develop well rounded and globally minded young people. I am involved outside the classroom walls as a coach (Water polo, Swimming, and Softball), Community & Service Coordinator, and club sponsor (Environmental Club, Mtn. Biking Club, Engineering Club, Spanish Club, etc.). I have created a school organic garden and composting center and am interested in doing something similar here in Idyllwild, California.