In the words of the Rolling Stones, "please allow me to introduce myself!" (Although I'm not a man of wealth, and my taste is questionable.)

In my life before teaching, I attended Illinois State University (Go Redbirds!), earning several Bachelor of Science degrees with emphases in Visual Communication, Graphic Design, Journalism, and Cinema Studies. I later worked as a freelance journalist. I even published a book, went on a signing tour, and received a write-up in the Wall Street Journal. Inasmuch as I was successful, I also felt unfulfilled. In a moment of self-reflection, I thought back to my favorite teachers whose passion for learning fostered my own love of reading, writing, public speaking, and film study. I decided to change my career path and become an educator. I went back to ISU and earned another Bachelor of Science degree—this time in Communication (Speech) Education, with a minor in English. I started my teaching career at Bartlett High School in 2006. Several years later, I took the “thesis track” and earned a Master of Arts degree in English Studies from Elmhurst College (Go Blue Jays!). Shortly thereafter, I became a National Board Certified Teacher.

Since 2007, I have coached the BHS Speech and Drama Team, an IHSA sanctioned competitive activity also referred to as “Speech: Individual Events.” In 2009, I was named Forensics Coach of the Year by the Special Committee on Tournaments for Individual Events. In 2010, I was nominated for Kane County Educator of the Year and won a Kane County Distinguished Educator Award. In 2011, The Illinois Communication and Theatre Association gave me its Illinois Outstanding Young Teacher of the Year award. In 2016, I was humbled when the Daily Herald profiled me in a special section titled “The Suburbs’ Top Teachers.”

When I’m not in the classroom, I might be at a Ravinia concert with my beautiful wife, or spinning vinyl records, planning a train trip to my native Colorado, working on my MGB-GT project car, watching White Sox baseball (for better or worse), or reading any number of the multiple books I keep on my nightstand at one time.

I hope to impart upon all students that they are characters in an ongoing story of their own making. Each day is a new chapter. My hope is that memorable experiences in English Language Arts, competitive speaking, and competitive acting may prove to be essential components of that narrative.