---

Learn More About Kevin's Experience:

basketball With very little experience at the time, I tried out for the freshmen basketball team. Through my understanding of positioning from soccer, fitness, and fundenmentals, I made the team. Through the next 1 1/2 years, I played learning more about the game I loved to watch on TV. In college, I played intermural leagues for three years before my last two years of architecture work. While teaching at my first school, the head asked me to coach the 5th and 6th grade boys' team for the next two years. With great eagerness, I taught the boys the importance about fitness, mental toughness, and fundamentals. It's nice to "be like Mike," but even Mike can dribble a basketball and pass. I built a team of kids who were not afraid to lose and run a 2-3 zone to perfection. But mainly, watching the growth of each player was the real joy knowing that some kids came in and could not make a lay up, but could now hit an outside jumper. I would really love to work with 5th-8th graders. elementary (k-6th) For the longest time, I was the kid with the elementary math block. I couldn't do math, see it, or understand it. I know what it's like to hate it! It's funny that today I have been a math specialist for the last three years and majored in Architecture which involved a good bit of math. I have taught elementary aged students for eight years. I have specifically taught only math for the past three. Everyday learning I like to give my student so that can better relate to the material. Decimals, let's talk about money. Percents, let's talk about discounts at stores. Education is life not confined my four walls and a ceiling and I try to have my students experience this. I love working with 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. But I have worked with K-3rd as well. Math is my life in teaching and has been my passion for the last three years. soccer Since the age of 8, I have had a soccerball on my feet. Through elementary and middle school I played mostly as a defender. I played four years of high school spliting time between varsity and junior varsity my third year. My senior year, I played and started most of the season as a right fullback on the best team in Illinois going down to the state championship. I was scouted by a couple of colleges including Howard, but I focused on architecture and music. While at Howard, I played intermural for three year. I have had the opportunity to coach soccer for two years teaching the students about positioning, fundenmentals, and desire. I love working with 5th-8th at this level. trombone People were amazed that a freshman would play first chair over juniors and seniors, but there I sat. All four years in high school, I played first chair. I received attention from the music directors at Northwestern University to play in a summer music program. I was rated one of the top trombone players in the state of Illinois my senior year and was recommended to join the AMA which tours Europe with the some of the top musicians in the country. That summer, I was in Washington DC, practicing to play in a concert band in Europe. Upon my return, I started band camp at Howard University in their marching band where I sat second chair for 2 1/2 years. After college, I played with a local Chicago musician for that summer until I returned to DC that fall. I am a teacher by trade and have taught students how to improve their play. I pass down all the knowledge I have from my tutors (who played with the Chicago Synphony Orchestra), to them. I daily life is passing knowledge to those who are willing to learn and trombone is no exception.