I am a recently retired middle school Language Arts teacher with certification for K-8 students. I have also taught keyboarding along with reading and journalism classes. Having raised a handicapped son, along with a gifted son, and with my years of experience in a classroom, I understand the patience and diversity of lessons/assistance needed to help children realize their potential. I strongly believe in dealing in positives and working as a team --- parents, students, their teachers, and me doing what is best to find success while using all of the resources that are available.

I have always striven to find what excites a student and then try to discover ways to augment the lessons/assistance I'm offering so a student learns more than just the subject's main topic. I further believe learning can be fun and have always tried to design lessons/assignments which engaged a student in the thought/learning processes while challenging them to think outside the box to be creative. I want my students to look forward to spending their time with me, knowing I will test and help their abilities while doing everything in my power to have them find success.

During my teaching career, my door was always open at lunch, and I had students come to me for help in a variety of subjects or to take a quick piano lesson. For many years, I had after-school tutoring and study halls in my classroom before coaching more than forty boys and girls basketball teams for my middle school. I have also coached baseball for over twenty years from Little League to being a head JV coach at a high school. I can offer drills, lessons, and advice from experience on what it takes to succeed in these sports. Many of the players I coached went on to successful college and professional careers.

I am the author of eleven published novels and have composed, written the lyrics, and arranged more than a hundred songs, some of which have been performed by my students at Talent Shows. I am also currently involved in facilitating summer classes for e