I did not have a typical journey into teaching. I had a successful business career for nearly 20 years before pursuing my teaching license. That career switch is one of the best decisions I have ever made.

As a relatively new teacher who is older than most, I bring some perspectives to the classroom that most new teachers do not.

• I am the father of two high school students and have been on the receiving end of phone calls, notes home and conferences. So, I have a connection with parents that only a parent can have.

• I have coached for 5 years and have a good understanding of how to build relationships with students.

• I worked in and led a professional working environment for nearly 20 years. This makes me ready to work with my teaching peers as well as administration to provide students with the best learning environment possible.

Please click on the document to the left to read a reflection I wrote for my Learning Environments course. I wrote this about a week after the Parkland shootings and a few days after my wife and kids were part of a lock down at Orono Schools.

Though it is a little long (3 pages), it summarizes well why I changed careers and why teaching is so important to me.