Teacher Biography

	Teacher Biography and F.A.Q.

Often times as a teacher I am asked questions from students about what it was like when I was growing up. Maybe, this short biography may help student get to know me better. I grew up on the south side of the City of St. Louis. We had very close neighborhoods in those days and most of what I knew about the world was in those square blocks. All my friends and all the fun we had never really extended to far beyond those blocks. I attended a traditional catholic grade school. Traditional in the fact that we stayed in the same school first to eighth grade. I had no understanding of the concept of a junior high or a middle school when I was growing up. While in grade school I enjoyed most of the same things that students today like. I loved to play basketball that was really my game. I spent most of my time riding a bike around the neighborhood on all the trails that the kids had built over the years. When I completed 8th grade I moved on to high school. I attended CBC high school. At that time it was still in Clayton. This was the first in time I was introduced to many new people from all over the St. Louis area. Like most students I meet many of my best friends in high school, and like everyone else had fun during those years. After, high school I moved on to college. Even though I really wanted to go into teaching I decided on a different career path. I decided to go off to college and study engineering. So I attended the University of Missouri at Rolla. After my first year I was already thinking that engineering was not that great of interest to me. After some thought I decided to jump into teaching and began attending Webster University eventually receiving both my bachelors and master degrees. I have been teaching ar Crestview my entire career, currently going into my 8th year, I look at every year as a new challenge. I pride myself in upholding strong standards in both myself and my students. I love teaching science, as well as being as actively involved in Crestview as I can. I have enjoyed my time working with Science Olympiad and Student Council. I have meet many wonderful people at Crestview and look forward to many more years to come.
FAQ Many questions have been submitted to the Six Silver Science Website over the past few years. These are some that I choose to answer. If you have a question please let me know it may be answered. What are your hobbies? My hobbies change very frequently when I find new things I would like to learn about. I have a few interests that have been with me for a long time. I maintain a 220 gallon aquarium of fresh water fish. I spend many weekends playing Bass guitar and recording music that I try to write. I spend many hours listening to the collective works of many jazz musicians. I have been involved in many local play productions that I do the sound design for. Why do we listen to music in class? We spend most of our time in class involved in experiments. It helps keep everyone relaxed and helps to add to a working atmosphere. As, a teacher I like to give students opportunities to experience things they may normally not, like jazz music. What is BOE? BOE was the name of a band that I once was a part of. Like many things in life creatively I needed to go in a different direction. We played several times at Crestview and entertained the students at assemblies. Sometimes friends and music just do not mix. You can still see the remaining members of BOE performing around town. I see myself as the Dennis De Young of BOE. Are you married? Not married, No kids, No pets (except the fish) Why does everyone ask me this? Who are your favorite bands? This question is very difficult for me to answer but in no particular order, these would be my top favorites: Steely Dan -- Rush -- Yes --Genesis -- The Rippingtons -- Dave Weckl -- Peter Mayer Why do you act strange in class sometimes? My response to this is that maybe you all should remember that you are all still kids and enjoy that fact. What some students think is strange I see as imaginative, I like science and it gets me excited to teach it and sometimes that makes me act strange. Not sure why some students have lost their imaginations, if you cannot laugh at yourself sometimes life gets real boring. This question I am sure is in response to the day I once acted like an atom and ran around the class. Again lighten up!! I could give you a test instead!! What is you favorite bass? Fender 5 String J bass If you did not live in St. Louis, where would you move? Any place in Colorado mostly likely Woodland Park. Mountains are much better than any beach. Why do you tell us to always use our imaginations in class? Because you are a kid and that is the best gift you have as a kid. Adults forget to use their imaginations all the time. All the great thinkers and scientists have great imaginations. Does my child need to use this web site at home? No this is explained to all students in class. This site is used mostly for help and support. No student will ever have an assignment at home that would require the use of this site. When they need to use this site for an assignment, time in class will always be given. Why did you assign my child the task of reading a science fiction book in challenge science? I have found that in the recent history of education reading has gained a reputation of being unimportant from many factions. Reading is the key to everything in the development of an educated child. While in my science class it is my obligation as a teacher to expose kids to the world of science. One way I think this can be done is by reading science related novels and short stories. I hold reading as the best gift given to children from the educational system and I must encourage the growth of reading in all students. Grading on these assignments is so liberal that it is impossible to fail, unless a student does not even try. What is the best concert you have attended? This is a hard question The best of the best list June 30th 2000 - YES at Riverport - The Ladder Tour June 12th 2004 - RUSH 30th Anniversary Tour at UMB Late 90's - Steely Dan at Riverport -Alive in America Tour Early 90's - New York Rock and Soul Review at Riverport July 13th, 1999 - The Rippingtons at Westport Playhouse -Topaz Tour Any number of the 8 times that I have enjoyed Peter Mayer on Tour. Honorable Mentions from over the years: Oct. 24th 1996 - Alan Parsons Project at the American Theater Oct. 16th, 1999- Dave Weckl Quintet at Blueberry Hill - Synergy Tour April 30th, 1988- David Lee Roth at the Arena -Skyscraper Tour July 24th, 1990- Billy Joel at the Arena -Storm Front Tour Nov. 23,1989 - Motley Crue at the Arena - Dr. Feelgood Tour 1987 - Jethro Tull at the Fox - Crest of a Knave Tour Some other Great Shows: Fleetwood Mac - 1990,1997 Clint Black - 1991,1992,1995 Joe Cocker -1995 Steve Winwood - 1991 Spyro Gyra -2001,2003,2004 Phil Collins - 1997,1994 Garth Brooks - 1992 Elton John -1992 Debbie Gibson - 1989 Did you like going on the Six Silver Camp field trip this year? (2004-2005) Of all the trips Six Silver has done over the years this was by far the best experience that I have had. I cannot say enough about how much fun I had on this trip. I look forward to doing it again in coming years. This was just a great experience for me. Great time for everyone!!!