10. BOOKS - I love to read! Please ask me what I've read recently and feel free to share what you
have been reading of late. I am always open for recommendations.
9. DOGS - I have a special place in my heart for dogs. I have an English Springer Spaniel named,
"Penny Lane". She goes camping, hiking, kayaking, and sometimes even shopping with us. Clearly,
Penny is a big part of my family.
8. JAPAN - I lived in Hiroshima, Japan for over 5 years. Yes, it was a life-changing experience. Yes,
it gave me an opportunity to eat some pretty interesting things. And yes, I would love to go back
soon. No, I did not see Godzilla or appear on a Japanese game show.
7. LISTS - I love lists. I make at least one list a day! I make lists of things to do each day, lists of
food to buy at the market, lists of things I want to do for the upcoming weekend, and the "list" could
go on and on. Yes, this qualifies me as a nerd, but I am comfortable with that label.
6. FOOD - I love to eat just as much as I enjoy cooking. My mother used to say and I suppose still
says that if you can read, then you can cook. For the most part, I agree with this outlook on cooking.
I quickly learned in college that if I wanted to eat something that did not come with directions
on a box or prepared in 3 minutes in a microwave, then I would have to learn how to cook properly.
5. HIKING - Whether it is in the Columbia River Gorge, on the Oregon Coast, or in the Mount Hood
National Forest, hiking provides a respite from the stress of daily life. If you know of any good trails,
please share them with me! I am always looking for a new place to explore.
4. PHOTOGRAPHY - Capturing still images with a camera with the intent of telling a story inherently
has infinite challenges. What do I like to take pictures of? Well, I am glad you asked. Usually, I take
photos of nature, but I also like candid photos of people as well.
3. FAMILY - Just my wonderful wife, Nikki, and my trustworthy dog, Penny! Fortunately, they both enjoy hiking and being outdoors - like me!
2. Q/A - I love questions. Questions require thought and provoke answers. In turn, answers spark
more questions and...you get the idea. Of course, questions should be thoughtful and appropriate. I
want my students to think and asking questions is your way of demonstrating this skill.
1. YO, TEACH! - I teach at Colton because I want to. That's it. Life is made up of a series of
decisions and my career as a teacher is no different. I want to be your teacher and more importantly,
I want to help you achieve your goals and aspirations.
Penny Lane
Mr. Salsman in Cambodia