Tell us about yourself:
I grew up in Geneva, Ohio and went to college at Adrian College. I worked in Michigan as a teacher, coach and as an administrator IN Blissfield and Dundee School Districts. I also worked as Director of Training for the University of Michigan Credit Union. My family and I moved to Utah where I authored a book From Hot Dogs to Hot Heads, worked as a consultant, ran volleyball camps and was a volunteer assistant volleyball coach for Salt Lake Community College…
I returned to Ohio to work at SPIRE Institute. I then became a consultant for Ashtabula Area City Schools. After a few years in Ashtabula, I started working as an assistant principal for Madison Local Schools and then after 3 years became the Curriculum Supervisor at Twinsburg City Schools. I have now started my own consulting business, called Structured Creativity Consulting. I developed a process for development of differentiated instruction, program development and personal growth called the Solution Centered Mindset. I also host a weekly YouTube Channel called Educational Norm.
How do you support students in northeast Ohio?
Currently I am working with teachers in developing lessons for the classrooms and also how to integrate curriculums. There is lesson software being developed that will help teachers focus on the depth of their lessons. I am also working with students to develop a women’s empowerment event in conjunction with community partners.
If you have one goal for students or teachers in northeast Ohio, what would it be and why?
I want to change how we do school. We are primed for a massive overhaul to the education system and the beneficiaries will be our students. It is time to reconsider how we teach, what we teach and the real purpose of education in our communities. I believe this is the solution to all that is going on right now and the way to form what we want the future to be.
What would you consider yourself an expert in and how did you gain your expertise?
Curriculum and educational programming solutions. The expertise came from many years of trial and error while working at developing my craft that centered around students. As my brother in law says, I can say I have had 30 years of experience and not one experience 30 times. It is important to try new things and learn from them all the time.
What is a school, teacher, group, organization or learning community in northeast Ohio that holds a special place in your heart?
Every place I have worked I hold special. It is not the organization itself but rather the people inside the building that makes it special. Relationships are the key to my career. The people you work with through tough circumstances and celebrate successes are the people that make an organization work. I hold my relationship with SPIRE, Ashtabula, Madison and Twinsburg special. It is not just those people inside those buildings but all the connections I have gained from parents and partners, opposing coaches, players and people you meet along the way to make it special
Why are you excited to be part of the #weteachCLE community?
It is important to share information and gain connections. We are all in this together and to have a place to bounce ideas, ask questions and connect is very important.
What is your favorite space in northeast Ohio?
I love downtown Cleveland at the Butcher & the Brewer for their beverages and sliders or the Kosicek Winery or Grand River Cellars in Ashtabula and Lake County for live music and good wine or if I am looking to get away, my wife and I will find a quiet river and do some kayaking.
Share with us your favorite way to combat the Sunday Scaries.
Football and/or yard work. Mindless work to stay occupied.
