School, or education has always been a central part of my life. My father taught high school social studies and still coaches while my mother worked in schools as both an aide and a classroom teacher. Many of my earliest memories involve me tagging along to school during workdays, watching football or baseball practice, and attending high school carnivals and events.
As I grew, I was very interested in history. Sitting and flipping through history books was a regular pastime and I always enjoyed learning new things about old things.
Growing up
My community was fairly small by Raleigh standards. It was partially a bedroom community for Winston Salem with a lot of rural characteristics. We only had one high school for the entire county. Because both of my parents worked at the high school, I knew most of my high school teachers socially before taking their classes. School always seemed like a family environment to me.
After high school I attended Appalachian State University and graduated with a B.S. in Secondary History Education. Advanced Placement coursework and a Dual Enrollment program through Appalachian allowed me to graduate in less than four years.
Teaching
My first long term teaching assignment was at Perquimans County High School in Hertford, North Carolina. In the four years I spent there I taught Civics and World History while coaching football and junior varsity baseball. I also met my wife.
I came to Leesville Road in the fall of 1997. In my time here I have coached football, baseball, and both men's and women's golf. As far as teaching assignments--I have taught just about everything in the social studies department at least once, settling on American history as a central focus in the last ten years.
Still learning?
I received my M. Ed. from North Carolina State University after moving to Raleigh. I also hold National Board Certification in addition to my North Carolina teaching license. In my spare time, I am always trying to learn more about the things I teach and how to teach them more efficiently. Currently I am working to expand my understanding of information for AP Human Geography, pursuing Google certification, and brushing up on my Spanish. :)