"Funny when you start something thinking that it's going to be only a temporary situation and then you turn around and realize your ten years in." Steve is currently teaching teachers as an assistant professor for Saint Peters University. He recently retired as an adjunct humanities professor at Middlesex College and educational specialist for the Perth Amboy Public Schools.

Steve's second calling produced a number of invitations from educational organizations and he went on to become a prominent figure in state and national education circles, appearing in articles, presenting at conferences, writing and reviewing curriculum and textbooks,and as an educational consultant. The following files are some of the items collected as samples of his varied works.

POWERPOINT LINK TO STEVES ED CAREER

As the Missal family expanded from 1 to 2 to 3 to 4 to 5 to 6 children, it became obvious that the household required more from everyone. For Steve, this meant staying closer to home and establishing a more secure and consistent economic foundation. Holding a degree from the University of Illinois, Steve was able to use his diploma working as a part-time educator in the town the family had recently relocated to from New York City. The Scotch Plains school system offered Steve a full-time position. This required additional education courses to meet the demands for state certification. He enrolled at St. Peter's College in Jersey City and completed his graduate education coursework in 1991 while working full-time for the Newark Public Schools. Beginning as a fifth grade teacher, later as a district co-ordinator and finally as the director of Social Studies / Gifted & Talented for 82 schools. Steve established connections to the greater Newark learning community including Rutgers University with Clement Price, the NJ Historical Society, The Newark Public Library and the Newark Museum. Working with Jack Helfgott (well-known videographer) they developed a series of videos of resources for Newark teachers. He continued to work and record locally as both educator and performer eventually moving his studio from New York City to Westfield and Somerset New Jersey.