Writing IS Thinking! The Art of Argument and Rhetoric

I am a friendly, articulate, professional, college-educated teacher, and artist versed in a variety of disciplines, a "Renaissance Man" at heart. As Ben Franklin was quoted: "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest". I'm very patient and dedicated to finding innovative and creative ways to educate those I am teaching.  I have both practical experience and theoretical training in the education of individuals with both Learning Disabilities & Developmental Disabilities. 

I am an experienced educator with a bachelor's of science from Ithaca College. I'm currently working towards my Master's Degree in Education with over three years of study so far and my dissertation remaining. In addition to that work, as a graduate student, I consistently seek out workshops and webinars that provide additional certifications for educators. 

My experience as an educator includes teaching at both public and private schools as well as tutoring students in STEAM subjects including SAT/GRE/ACT/ & AP prep, I have experience and training in teaching individuals with both Learning Disabilities and Developmental Disabilities. I have also volunteered my time in my local community library by organizing workshops on STEAM topics for children.  

As an educator, it's my goal to stimulate my student's curiosity and to encourage persistence and determination in achieving their goals.  I would like for my students to experience the empowerment of conquering ignorance and the joy in discovery and epiphany. In short, I want to open, stimulate, and expand young minds. 

I teach comparative and interdisciplinary courses focused on literature, art, myth folklore, ecology, nature, science, philosophy, and history.  These exciting courses will illustrate how these different areas of learning connect, inform, and influence each other.  Additionally, I  offer "hands-on" workshops in writing (academic/creative), photography, and cinema. This type of class environment consists of group work and active critique of their own work and the work of their peers. And as someone who is fluent in Conversational French (reading, speaking, and writing) I plan to create some simple yet immersive classes in the French Language. If there is sufficient interest I am willing and able to run weekly RPG clubs (not limited to D&D) focusing on learning life skills through roleplaying. Drama and the theater were, and still, are, a large part of both my public and collegiate career. 

Outside the classroom, I am a single father of an eleven-year-old girl and our mini-menagerie which consists of "Rosie" the lab/Pitt, "Bill Murray" the Mini-Schnauzer, "Mary Shelly" an African Sideneck Turtle, "Shane Longfellow" the ball python, and "Fry" the dumbo rat. A pack of misfits much like the "Goonies"; odd, yet adventurous and loyal to the end!