I am what they call a freeway flyer. I teach at four different colleges. Thanks to COVID though now I work from home or what I call home, the great outdoors of Southern California. I wish I had the energy to do the travelling show "the Adventures of the GEO GO4" I love to see places and learn a little about them. I seem to know a little about a lot of things and a lot about a little of things. I am so excited you are taking this class with me. I try to infuse myself into each of my classes and even though we are separated by zeros and ones I still look forward to teaching you about this wonder world of Geography. I grew up in Southern California, did my high school life, then spent time in community college, then off to Cal Poly to study geography, with a focus on GIS. Then off to work for a bit, before I got my Masters at Long Beach State. See I love to learn… anyway after that I started teaching high school for an Regional Occupational Program. Then back to college to teach science… I taught for two years at a continuation high school, and I started teaching community college….well that is a long way of saying I here I am… teaching you something about this world of ours... and cannot think of a better place to be. And I know my Geography. ;) I hear it is the Pitts!

I believe learning should be meaningful and that the differences each person brings enrich the learning of all participants. Personally, I love learning about earth; I love discovering the where and why of things; I love finding out about my students and their interests and dreams; and hopefully making a difference each day. I want to challenge my students, to help strengthen the learning muscle just like lifting weights strengthens various muscles in the body. I believe that each of us learns differently, had you told me I would be teaching online, I would of called you crazy. I struggled with the online model when I took classes. But we are all in this together and post COVID, I am learning to find my rhythm teaching online. Don't get me wrong I do a lot of it wrong, but I am learning to be graceful and patient with myself and others. I am learning that unlike a live (synchronous) classroom, this new modality of asynchronous (on your time) online environments, like ours, provide you with the ability of thinking and reflecting before you participate. It provides you an opportunity to work at a pace that suits you and your life. What I have learned is that online learning, creates a seat at the table for everyone. Although I would much prefer to see you all each day in person, this platform enable us to use the world as our classroom. My hope is that my courses celebrate the diversity of the participants in our learning community and encourages each of you to connect our course content to your own life.