I was born and raised in a small rural area of Merced, in the central San Joaquin valley off of highway 140.  Merced has always had an ethnically diverse population with agriculture as its primary industry. While in school I played soccer, worked (gardener, newspaper delivery, dairy worker, theater usher, dish washer and cook) and enjoyed cars.  All of these interests have survived my best efforts to engage them as an adult. 

My college education started at Merced Community College, I earned two AA degrees before leaving for UC Davis.  From there I joined the US Army Reserves as a signal soldier attached to a MASH Hospital and Signal Company.  I picked up my formal education at and graduated from CSU Sacramento.  This past year I was awarded Magna Cum Lade honors in completing a masters degree in psychology from Touro University.  The concentration was educational psychology to better serve students and offer more in depth learning in psychology. 

I met my wife while working as a cook, and she as a waitress.  We have been married 20 years with two sons.  Being a husband and a father isn't my job, it is the biggest blessing I have witnessed in my lifetime.  Religion is a part of my life, it provides meaning and guides me to have grace in my daily life.  Teachers need grace. 

I am an active participant in my local government.  LINKEDIN  
Measure D Citizen Oversight Committee, RUHSD Steering Committee,,  West Park Neighborhood Association and board member, School Site Council officer at four different schools.   If you are going to talk the talk,  you should walk the walk....

My teaching career has been diverse.  I sought out a teaching job to serve at risk and economically challenged student populations.  I taught at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Junior High School in the Twin Rivers Joint Unified School District for two years as a student teacher under contract.  I then moved to Center Joint Unified School District at McClellan High School.  I taught at MHS, the district's alternative site for seven years; during that time I encountered some of the most interesting positive people and situations of my career .   I moved to Center High School where my credential in science and social studies enabled me to teach a variety of classes.  I have taught world history, psychology, AP Psychology, sociology, Earth Science, Biology, PLTW Biomedical,  health, and US government.  Teaching credit recovery and remedial summer school for five years facilitated my drive to help at risk students. 

I pledge to answer all of your questions honestly and to the best of my ability.  If I can't answer your question I will tell you why or direct you to a better resource.  I like to work; but I have learned the hard way that smart work is very different than busy work.  I will do my best to assign smart work.  

Much of this smart work is using technology in our classroom.  We have MimioVote student response systems, Chromebooks,  Google Classroom and collaborative resources like Quizlet Live! . Canvas learning platform will be employed this year for AP Psychology. 

Skill One

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Skill Two

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Skill Three

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