I grew up in Troy, Illinois, a very small rural town with less than 3,000 people at the time. I attended SIUE and graduated with a degree in studio art with teaching certification. After a decade in the classroom, I left education to work in animal welfare. Now that I am back in the classroom, Innovation is precisely the type of learning environment that I hoped to find and I am thrilled and fortunate to call it home. I am proud of what we have cultivated in our short time together and grateful for the chance to facilitate the confidence, character, and creative expression of our students.
When I am not teaching I make and show my own art which consists of acrylic paintings and cast sculptures under the name Hollywood Indian. I am an activist for social justice, animal rights, and the protection of our environment. I love to spend time playing basketball, as well as hiking, kayaking, and camping with my wife and our three rescue dogs.