Welcome to my professional blog. This is my corner of the Internet where I share information about my current and previous work and other miscellaneous information that might surprise you. Please click on the links above to learn more about me.

About Me

I never wanted to be a teacher and I’m an introverted person. Seriously. Ask my peers and colleagues and they will tell you that both of those statements are lies. That’s what is funny about me and my career path. I never grew up thinking that I would work in the field of education. After graduating with a degree in mathematics from Virginia Tech in 1989, I was trying to find my place in this world and began tutoring and coaching. That’s when teaching found me. I think that is the best way to describe it. I loved the feeling I got working with young adults.

I began teaching high school math in 1991. I can’t describe how much teaching has impacted me and made me into who I am today. As I gained more experience, I saw myself as a lifelong teacher and fully anticipated retiring in that capacity. I always believe that things happen for a reason and in 2009, another door opened along my career path. I transitioned to the role of Mathematics Educational Specialist and my colleagues became my students.

Now, my “educational tentacles” reach a much larger audience. Instead of impacting 125+ students a year, I impact 275+ math teachers a year. That translates into indirectly reaching over 30,000 students a year and those are just the ones that I know about. I do not take this responsibility lightly and I strive to do everything I can to improve the quality of math education on a daily basis. It has become my passion. It has become my joy. Who would have thought that this would be the path I follow…

Stay tuned to see what life has in store for me next!

Biography

I was born in West Point, NY and was the youngest of three children. My father, who was in the Army for 30 years, my mother, and my two older sisters grew up in a life filled with travel. By the time I reached 8th grade, I had already lived in New York, Massachussetts, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Kansas, Florida, and finally Virginia. Because of the traveling, I saw a lot of new places, made a lot of new friends, and learned a lot about the country. In 1980, I moved to Poquoson (in Tidewater near Hampton and Newport News) and went to Poquoson High School. I graduated in 1985 and made the best decision in my life – going to Virginia Tech!

I began my Virginia Tech career with a Computer Science major but changed it to Mathematics after my second year. I have always loved art (check out my classroom art gallery!) and ended up getting a minor in Art as well. At this point in time, I never wanted to become a teacher. Being somewhat shy and reserved, I had no desire to get up in front of people and talk. Future events would change my mind and shape me to what I am today. In my final semester of college, I met a wonderful girl who would soon become my wife! (I told you VT was a great decision for me!).

After graduation in 1989, I worked at Norfolk Iron Works using my computer science background designing programs for estimating and costing. After six months on the job, I realized that this was not my career and began looking for a new one. While searching, I became a substitute teacher, football coach and private tutor at Hampton Roads Academy. I realized very quickly that I enjoyed teaching, related well with middle and high school students, and had overcome my fear of presenting to a group. I went to Christopher Newport University, did my student teaching at Bethel High School in Hampton, and received my teaching certification in 1990.

I taught summer school at Lafayette High School prior to accepting a job at Varina High School in 1991. In my years at Varina, I continued to grow and learn new things and accepted additional professional responsibilities. I taught myself computer skills (back when computers were just being introduced – yes, I’m old!) and began implementing them into my classroom in 1996. I analyzed my teaching practice and made changes and revisions to how I taught and interacted with staff and students. I completed my Masters degree in Instructional Technology in 2003 and National Board Certification in 2004 (and renewed it in 2013). As a classroom teacher and Central Office instructional leader, I feel it is very important and necessary to model that learning is lifelong as I keep growing and learning with my students and colleagues.

I hope to share my excitement and passion for teaching with every one of you. You will find that I incorporate humor, sarcasm, and music into everything I do in an effort to have fun while learning. By the time I am through with you, I hope that you will adopt the attitude that it is necessary to have fun while giving 100% in all that you do (even if you don’t like doing it!). My motto for my students – You may hate math but I want you to love hating math! My motto for my colleagues – Step out of your comfort zone and try something new that will make you a better.

With that said, feel free to contact me and talk with me about anything that’s on your mind. As I get to know you, you become part of my family. Every one of you is special to me in a unique way!