I look forward to my second year at Central VPA. I am teaching physical science, biology, and earth science. 

Last year, our big projects were using inquiry to figure out where on a roller coaster the care travels the fastest and building a one-string guitar to figure out how frequency and wavelength relate to music.

I came to teaching after 23 years in manufacturing, working in different facets of surface finishing. The primary focus of the surface finishing was electroplating, the process of depositing metal onto different surfaces. My work involved products as diverse as tubes for hay balers, shock rods for cars, wires for fuses, hinges for doors, and chrome for school furniture. Clients also worked with wet and dry paint, as well as with many different methods of metalworking and finishing.

My initial degree is in Chemistry from Knox College in Galesburg, IL. I participated in many on-campus activities, including playing football, singing in the choir, throwing the javelin, and playing the oboe. I earned my M.B.A. from Franklin University in Columbus, OH with a focus in finance after short stints at UW Parkside and the Ohio State University. I am currently earning my Masters of Arts in Teaching from Saint Louis University and will graduate in 2025.

Outside of school, I coach track and cross-country. I have had the great fortune to go to state with over 50 different entries in the last 4 years. In 2024, one athlete won state titles in the Boys' 100M and 200M dashes. Other track athletes have earned medals in the high jump, triple jump, 3200M race, 400M dash, and the 4x100 and 4x200 relays. Team successes include a girls' district title in 2021, a girls' sectional title in 2023, and a girls' second place in districts in 2024.

Our cross-country teams have had six individual MSHSAA State medals. We had a third-place team finish in 2022. The girls' team has won two consecutive district titles and gone to state three consecutive years. The boys' cross-country team finished seventh at the MSHSAA State meet in 2022.

I am the father of two. Andrew is a freshman at UMKC majoring in Environmental and Earth Science with a focus in Geology, River is a junior at Metro and is an avid mountain biker.