Books, science and learning are three of my lifelong passions. My personal journey reflects this outlook. Ever since my childhood, I’ve devoured just about anything science-related. Among my favorite TV shows are Carl Sagan’s Cosmos and James Burke’s Connections, shows I still enjoy today. My journey to this realization, however, has been anything but linear: Before my life as an educator, I was a U.S. Marine and a physics research assistant at CSUN (my alma mater). I was also in the financial and motion picture industries for several years before becoming a teacher. In between gigs, I tutored math and science for nearly two decades. As a teacher, I have been in both private and public/charter schools, working with students of various backgrounds. I’ve grown to appreciate these diverse experiences over time. Even now, I continue to learn new things as I can, whether it’s a new language, a martial art or a master’s program.
Here at Futures, I try to share my enthusiasm and love of learning with my students in math and science. Be it in algebra or chemistry, connecting my lessons to things we encounter in everyday life is important to me; it brings life to my teaching. Hopefully, it also enriches my students’ lives! There are two that I like to impress upon my students: 1. Learning is not a spectator event; the student is equally responsible for learning as the teacher is for instructing. 2. Teachers learn just as much from students, as they do from us. It’s a harmonious ideal that I’ll keep striving for at Futures!
Outside of school, you’ll find me practicing karate (I'm a shodan or 1st-degree black belt in Shotokan), tinkering with old-school electronics or writing fiction. Or you’ll find me with my nose buried in a good book, especially science fiction. I’m a consummate book geek!