My Thirty-Year Educational Crusade
Please join me in my celebration. Stories will be posted for every student contact day this school year. The first will be elementary stories and will cover my time as an elementary teacher at Montview. The remainder will be stories from my 21 years at Rangeview High School.
As technology becomes more ubiquitous in our world, I think back to my humble beginnings. When I was teaching Technology at Montview, I was sometimes limited by the classroom teachers' expectations. While I wanted to give the kids all they could handle, the teachers often Read more
I had a ten-year career in retail that began as a part-time stock person in the toy department at the Woolco store in Greeley, Colorado. Woolco, the discount division of the Woolworth Company, operated large stores offering everything from auto services to candy. The store Read more
In social situations, I often find myself surrounded by people I don’t know, and making small talk can feel awkward. While I have plenty of stories and could talk for hours, they’re usually only interesting to me, and I tend to share them out of Read more
Woolworth was a five-and-dime store that started in 1879 and served as the model for variety stores offering goods at reasonable prices. We were known for carrying everything from candy to sporting goods, with a particular focus on home goods, especially sewing and craft supplies. Read more
I’ve always tried to live my life in a way that minimizes contact with authorities. However, managing stores for Woolworths inevitably brought me into contact with local police. In the mid-'80s, there was a bit of a crime problem in the neighborhood where I worked, Read more
There are a few questions asked by every umpire before a game. One of the most important question is: "Are your players properly equipped?" This is the do your players all have a jockstrap and cup on. This is critical for a few positions and Read more
Creating cybersecurity classes can be fraught with concerns, as schools and districts often harbor apprehensions about the potential for inadvertently fostering hackers or criminals. It's essential that these programs incorporate a strong moral component. Fortunately, my experience has shown that many students self-select out once Read more
People often reminisce about their first job, and the memories associated with it vary widely. Some cherish the experience, while others resent the time spent in that role. Many, however, find themselves in the middle, holding both positive and n egative memories. Over time, it's Read more
The greatest joy I have is sharing computer science, cybersecurity, & technology with others. The opportunity to share with fellow teachers has always been a highlight but it is a double-edged sword. Teachers who want to lead inservices about technology often ask me for help. Read more
The following excerpt is from Seymour Papert's book Mindstorms, published in 1980, yet its relevance to current classroom practices persists. The book is over forty years old and is still as important today as it was in 1980. The passage below speaks to a project Read more
Working for a decade at the Woolworth Corporation gave rise to a plethora of captivating anecdotes. Amid numerous opportunities to bolster the company and foster customer loyalty, none proved as potent as the art of price-matching. However, amidst these tactics, there were occasional encounters with Read more
This is the completion of my official retirement blog. I did exactly what I said I would do. I have a story for every student contact day. I will be branching out a little bit because I still have many stories to share. Stay tuned Read more