Education

• California State University, Chico 1986-90

• BA Information & Communication Studies, Minor in History

• Credentials: Single Subject: English, Social Science; Multiple Subjects (K-8)

Teaching Experience

• Los Molinos High School, 1992-1996

• West Valley High School, 1996-Present

• Subjects Taught: Journalism, English 1, 2, 3, AP English Literature

Family Background

I was born and raised in Los Molinos, CA where my father’s family raised prunes and other crops for many generations. I grew up in a farmhouse that was literally in the middle of one of those prune orchards and my parents lived in the same house for 53 years! I met my wife Debbie while we were freshmen at Chico State and we have been married for over 28 years. She’s a math teacher, so I call her my better ½. We have two grown children James, 21 and Emily, 18. Both are in college at Cal Poly and Long Beach State. We also have a large family of furry friends: two dogs, Snoopy and Sapphire, two cats, Scout and Snowball; two goats, Daisy and Dozer. This is my 29th year teaching and my 25th at West Valley.

Why I Teach

I teach because life is a journey. I didn’t set out to be a teacher, although I must admit I really liked school growing up and especially high school. I went to college to be a newspaper reporter but instead found a love for teaching journalism and yearbook classes. I wanted students to find the love of writing a good story—even if it was writing their own story. I love it when I see a student’s face light up because they know they’ve written something meaningful and special. I don’t think I’ve ever taught writing, but I’ve coached writers.

Career Highlights

I was the advisor of the West Valley school newspaper, The Eagle Examiner until 2009. As a staff, my students earned many local, state and national awards for journalism excellence. Including seven Quill & Scroll International 1st place awards and one George H. Gallup Award, the highest award for high school journalism.

I am in my tenth year advising the campus chapter of California Scholarship Federation (CSF).