Florida Professional Educator Certificate
#919525
Photo taken prior to the 2015 Graduation ceremony.
Quickfacts
Contact
Education
Classes
Skills
Awards
University of Florida
1998-2003
Bachelor of Arts
History
University of South Florida
2008-2009
Florida Studies - Seven Credits Earned
University of South Florida
2013-2014
Social Studies Education - Nine Credits Earned
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Fraternity
Golden Key International
Honour Society
Algebra I
Algebra II
Geometry
World History
United States History
American Government
Economics
SAT Prep
Computer Applications
Yearbook and Journalism
Microsoft Word
Microsoft PowerPoint
Video Editing
Writing and Editing
Design and Layout
Social Media
Photography
Fundraising
Event Planning
Intramural/Club Athletics
2012 Saddlebrook Resort
Employee of the Year
April 2012 Saddlebrook Resort Employee of the Month
Eckerd Youth Challenge Program
March 2005
Employee of the Month/Quarter Nominee
Saddlebrook Resort
Second Quarter 2017
First Quarter 2016
Second Quarter 2015
First Quarter 2015
March 2014
April 2013
April 2012
Professional Documents
Professional Documents
Classes and Committees
2016-2017 Yearbook
2015-2016 Yearbook
2013-2014 End of the Year Video
SACS/FCIS Accreditation Self-Study (Layout and Graphic Design)
Humanities and Technology Classes Website
Math Classes Website
Lecture, Discuss, and Relate
When it comes to teaching, I have always believed that Occam's Razor - the idea that the simplest way of doing something is usually the best - is the ???? Lectures and discussion may not be the preferred teaching style of the day, but they get results.
In lectures, students are guided through information that is often foreign to them, and as they begin to build a knowledge base they are encouraged to ask questions, discuss the topics with their classmates and me, and then relate events that took place hundreds or thousands of years in the past to the events happening in today's world.
Preparing for College
Reading and writing. Reading and writing. Reading and writing.
Students must be encouraged to read as much as they can - novels, newspapers, magazines... anything that is well-written. Reading for fun leads to improved comprehension, fluency, and writing. Students in all grades and levels complete book critiques or research papers every semester.
Posing with one of the seniors at the 2012 Prom.
Samples
Talk - Chalk - Walk - Rock
I remember a coach once talking about his philosophy for teaching a new play... first he wanted to emphasize what it was he was trying to accomplish with that play, he would then draw it up on the board, the team would walk through with his help, and finally, when everyone had a pretty good sense of what they were supposed to do, he would hand the ball over to them and let them run full speed.
When I made the switch to math, I realized that this same process could be an effective one for teaching algebra and geometry. I emphasize using math terminology, identifying processes and patterns, and building foundational skills - students are not allowed to use a calculator until they begin working with trigonometry...
...and no one should fear fractions.
Hanging out after the 2017 Color Run with the overall champion.
Samples
Professional Experience
I first walked into a classroom during my junior year at the University of Florida. It was a middle school in northeast Gainesville, and despite the lock down, fire drill, and fight in the classroom across the way, I decided to keep going back. It's been over 20 years since that first day as a substitute, and although I have never had a single day that was quite as eventful as that first day, there have been some unique experiences along the way.
I started my career at the Eckerd Youth Challenge Program in Brooksville, Florida. EYCP is a residential facility for youth offenders - a treatment program in which the teacher plays a pivotal role in helping adolescents turn around their lives.
Following the Eckerd program I moved into the public system at James K-8 in east Tampa where I taught 7th grade Language Arts. From there I moved on to Bradenton Preparatory Academy where I taught middle school history followed by high school history.
For the last eight years I have called Saddlebrook Prep home. In that time I have taught a variety of classes and sponsored numerous clubs and groups. The longest running of these sponsorships was for the student council, whose responsibilities included brainstorming and organizing events for the student body, fundraising, and organizing Prom.
Please take a look around my e-portfolio -- in the links above, I have included examples of my curriculum including syllabi, lessons, and assignment sheets, as well as photos and videos of extracurriculars I have sponsored.
Wishing you well,
