The Abbreviated Biography

Began Teaching at CHS in 1999

Work Experience (Unrelated to Education):

Assistant bovine hormone injector and Feedlot Grunt-worker (San Felipe Ranch)

Semi-professional gardener (Josh’s Gardening, Inc.)

Bus Fueler and Maintenance Support (Via Bus Lines)

Linens Distributor (Cal Poly, SLO)

Unlicensed therapist

Education:

BA Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (Minor in Philosophy)

MA in US History San Jose State

Previous Teaching Experience:

Migrant Pre-School Teacher (Stanislaus County)

Teacher of Grades 3 and 6, Holly Oak School (San Jose)

English Lecturer, College of Social Sciences, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

English and History Teacher, Westmont High School (San Jose)

The child of a trans-national marriage, I spent the early years of my childhood in various regions of North America, from the cultural and linguistic French stronghold of Quebec to the voting-inept, insect infested state of Florida. I eventually settled in the rural farming community of Merced, CA, pursuing an early career as an amateur rodeo calf roper. After sustaining various hand injuries, as well as proving myself a thoroughly unimpressive procurer of cattle, via the lariat, I decided to pursue my interests in the disciplines of history, literature and philosophy. Upon completion of my undergraduate degree I quickly acquired my education credential and plunged headfirst into the teaching profession. Mesmerized by the lights of the big city, I found myself drawn to the Bay Area.

In my spare time I enjoy reading, writing, playing the guitar, learning the harpsichord, studying foreign (or should I say modern?) languages and, most of all, hanging out with my wife and daughter. I divide my time between San Francisco and the internationally renowned city of Merced, which is where I do all of my writing.

(That’s not me at the top; it’s a writer I occasionally admire.)