Who would have thought that almost two decades ago that I would be embarking on such a lasting a rewarding career.... A new father and married for a year or so, I began my college career In Oklahoma. Originally starting as a computer science major, I switched to Mechanical drafting, Graphic Design, Art and finally finished as an Art Education major.
I will never forget walking into my first classroom as a student observer. I wasn't sure that I even wanted to be a teacher (I thought that teachers were losers and they were destined to be eternally poor). I was absolutely sure that I did not want to be in THIS school as it was in an impoverished area and there were two olive cars sitting in front of the Junior High. That week and for the time after, I got to; smell weed for the first time (I am very conservative), watch three separate mass gang fights (involving 25-50 kids), work with a burned out teacher that hated and ignored the kids, and teach one young lady something that was so simple to me and yet it changed my life.
She was struggling to draw an ellipse/oval. I had just learned a neat method in my mechanical drafting class, and so I began to show it to her. When the idea sank in she made this face as she "got it". I call it the "A-ha" moment. She looked up at me with that "A-ha" moment face and thanked me..... something inside of me exploded as I realized what had just happened. I am still emblazoned with that moment and I have sought to change students lives every since then.
I will never forget walking into my first classroom as a student observer. I wasn't sure that I even wanted to be a teacher (I thought that teachers were losers and they were destined to be eternally poor). I was absolutely sure that I did not want to be in THIS school as it was in an impoverished area and there were two olive cars sitting in front of the Junior High. That week and for the time after, I got to; smell weed for the first time (I am very conservative), watch three separate mass gang fights (involving 25-50 kids), work with a burned out teacher that hated and ignored the kids, and teach one young lady something that was so simple to me and yet it changed my life.
She was struggling to draw an ellipse/oval. I had just learned a neat method in my mechanical drafting class, and so I began to show it to her. When the idea sank in she made this face as she "got it". I call it the "A-ha" moment. She looked up at me with that "A-ha" moment face and thanked me..... something inside of me exploded as I realized what had just happened. I am still emblazoned with that moment and I have sought to change students lives every since then.
I have now been living and teaching in the North Texas area for almost two decades. I have two kids that both are related to defending our countries freedom. One just got back from Afghanistan the other is in Alaska. I taught Art 1, Drawing 1 and 2, Jewelry, Ceramics and Electronic media before switching over to all technology. Since then I have been teaching Digital Graphics and Animation, Independent studies, Computer Animation 1 and 2, and most recently Video game Programming and Design. So far I have had the opportunity in sharing many successes in students lives, in this industry and many others. See the Former Students Hall of Fame for more details.
In my off time i enjoy many other activities away from teaching. I am a student pilot, welder/ornamental iron worker, avid cyclist, and a full time nerd.
It is my earnest hope that the information contained in this page help you in your efforts to obtain skills in this field. if you have any concerns or issues please let me know and I will see what I can do to help!!!
In my off time i enjoy many other activities away from teaching. I am a student pilot, welder/ornamental iron worker, avid cyclist, and a full time nerd.
It is my earnest hope that the information contained in this page help you in your efforts to obtain skills in this field. if you have any concerns or issues please let me know and I will see what I can do to help!!!