About Me

Professional

I have been teaching at Royal since September of 1989. I have taught virtually every mathematics subject we offer at Royal with the exception of Calculus (coincidentally, that was my favorite math course in college). I currently teach AP Statistics, AP Computer Science, Computer Programming, Geometry and Algebra I. Additionally, I am Co-Chair of the Math Department with my colleague and friend Mr. Bob Willging.

My college education began at Moorpark College where I was originally an accounting major. My plans were to become an FBI agent. After considering what effect that might have on my eventual family, I decided to use my love of math to teach others. I was inspired to do so by my former teacher and colleague, Mr. Keith Barker, who retired from Royal in 2004.

After Moorpark, I transferred to UC San Diego, then to UC Riverside where I received my Bachelor's degree in Mathematics in 1987. After a year of teacher credential work at CSUN, I got a job at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino where I taught Geometry and coached basketball. I taught at Crespi for one year while I was finishing my teaching credential. The next year there was an opening for a math teacher at Royal High School and I was hired! During my first three years at Royal, I also coached the sophomore boys basketball team, leading my team to the Marmonte League championship in my final season (1991-92).

In the summer of 1994 I was fortunate to be accepted into a Masters degree program at CSUN that was designed for secondary math teachers and sponsored by the National Science Foundation. This three-year program was in Mathematics Education with a Special Emphasis on Technology. Those three years were among the best of my life and changed me forever as a teacher. Among the many things I gained were deep knowledge of the use of Texas Instruments graphing calculators, Geometer's SketchPad software and a renewed interest in statistics. I also gained many new friends and colleagues from around Southern California. I graduated with my Master's degree in May of 1997.

Personal

I was born in Jackson, Michigan (Go Blue!) but my family moved to Simi Valley when I was three years old. I have lived here ever since. I attended Lincoln, Katherine and Arcane Elementary schools, Sinaloa Middle School (then a Junior High School) and Royal High School (Class of 1982).

Among my many interests are computers, music, sports and recently, long distance running. On May 31st, 2009 I completed my third marathon in San Diego. I plan on making it an annual event as long as my body agrees to the deal.

I am blessed to have a loving and beautiful wife and three healthy, energetic children ages 10, 11 and 13 years. It is due to the four of them that I look forward to waking up and greeting each new day.