This school year will be like no other.  As an educator, I am faced with the most challenging situation I've ever faced.  However, I am committed to creating an encouraging, supportive AVID classroom that will meet both the academic needs and the emotional needs of my students.  My theme for this year will once again be "Adaptability" and we will focus much attention on patience.  As a teacher, I need to be patient with my students as they re-learn what it means to be an in-person student. Students will need to practice patience with each other, as some students will likely master skills more quickly than others.  Students will also need to practice patience and adaptability as their teachers try new approaches, evaluate those approaches, then try other new approaches.  With this new reality in which we find ourselves, our ability to adapt to new situations will likely be the key to academic success, emotional wellness, and a lifetime of being able to change with the changing times. We will still be researching colleges and careers, working together in weekly Tutorials with our Tutors, having high level academic conversations and debates, learn how to read and write for learning, as well working collaboratively on team-building and confidence building games and activities. 

My AVID Classroom is a unique and inviting environment.  In this room, we break down walls that separate us.  We treat each other with dignity and respect.  We come to rely on one another for support and encouragement.  We become a family like no other class I've ever experienced.  It's one of the myriad reasons I love teaching AVID - I have the freedom to adjust and adapt to the needs of my students on a moment's notice, much as a family has that ability.  

Our learning will be taking place in person this year, but we will still utilize Google Classroom as a go-to for assignments and communications. While much of our learning will be taking place in-person, we will continue to experiment with many different online platforms as we figure out which platforms are the most user-friendly and enjoyable, while still providing the rigor necessary to be a challenge.

This school year marks my 20th year as an Educator.  The 2022-2023 school year will be my 17th year teaching at Eisenhower.  This will be my 16th year as the AVID Coordinator and Elective Teacher at Eisenhower.  In my spare time, I am a performing songwriter and musician as well as a gardener, woodworker, travel-junkie, and general do-it-yourselfer. I also work as a Staff Developer for AVID, teaching AVID strategies to teachers across the country.  I'm married to an amazing woman and father to an incredible young woman of 20.