Personal Bio

Stories, our stories, go on and on -- I would like mine to be told as one of integrity, courage, and compassion. I was delivered a message once that my life's purpose was to make noise --I'm discovering what that means.

Born in Steamboat Springs, CO, I have lived most of my life in California; I sometimes call Chico, CA, my home. Born in 1980 places me on the cusp of the Gen X and Millennial generations -- I prefer to claim the former (I owned a pair of Hammer Pants as a youth). I met my wife, Robin in AP English class in 1998 and asked her to marry me atop a 35-foot Giant's Ladder in 2011. We have two beautiful children that we hope will become fierce lovers of all living things.

Much of my early teaching was developed through the Boy Scouts. I began teaching (formally) at Champion Christian School in Chico, CA, where I founded and directed a choir for four years. I co-taught courses in Kinesiology and Outdoor Education at CSU, Chico. I taught PE and Crew at Vista Grande High School and guitar at Taos High School.

I could hardly be more pleased with my role(s) at Taos Academy and am proud to share that I recently earned my Level 2 NM Teaching License and Level 2 Google Apps for Education Certification.

Education

After high school I attended American River College in Sacramento, CA, for five semesters and focused first in mathematics then in foreign languages. I left formal education and it wasn't until a profound experience living in China that I decided to return. I found in the academic catalog at Chico State a major that had the words "outdoor" and "leadership" and I enrolled. I graduated Magna Cum Laude from the California State University at Chico with a BA in Recreation Administration with a focus in Natural Resource Management and Outdoor Leadership. One of my greatest lessons has been that humility is to remain forever teachable -- my education will never end.

Interests

I am a musician at the core of my being! I began playing piano about the time I could walk and picked up the guitar at age 12. I love listening to music -- and I have impeccable taste ;-)
Outdoor recreation: hiking, biking, kayaking, backpacking, and (recently) mud fights with my kids!
Books, books, books! Some books that changed my thinking forever: The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind, Last Child in the Woods, Pillars of the Earth, Wild at Heart, a few Beatles biographies

Awards, Honors, & Certifications

Eagle Scout 1998
Lv. 2 Google Certified Educator
Lv. 1 American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education Certification
Leave No Trace Trainer
Commencement Address, Vista Grande High School 2016

Personal Philosophy

I believe the purpose of life is to discover one's giftings and to give them away - to absorb and exude beauty. I believe that students need to be met with grace and an offering to be empowered. I believe that character development should supersede academics, because the latter will always follow with rigorous work on the former; and I believe that character is built by asking and answering good questions of solid mentors. I share with all my students three rules for succeeding in school; I teach them the fourth by modeling my beliefs.

To My Students

I want you to know that, like you, I am human -- I suspect you have heard that in a variety of ways from other adults.

I have loved so much it hurts. I have cried and screamed so deeply that I could barely take another breath. I have hurt people and have been hurt. I have apologized and meant it. I have apologized and not meant it, lying only to protect myself. I have done things I regret. I have thought I couldn't go on.

Being a human -- with authenticity, with empathy, with hopes and fears -- is sometimes a scary responsibility, but I wouldn't trade this experience for anything or anyone else's.

I believe it is no coincidence that there are over seven million people on our planet -- we are meant to be among people, to receive and learn from people, to lift one another up with open hearts and open ears. We are not meant to be lonely -- alone at times, YES, but never lonely.

I struggle each day to listen better, to feel more deeply, to be more sensitive to the hidden stories that we all carry in some form or another. I hope always to be humble enough to receive your teaching and to hear your stories. Let's be humans together. Let's be courageous together.

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