About Me (Updated August, 2011)
I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself and express how excited I am to be here, working with your children. This has been a great year!
This is my 20th year of teaching. I started at Northport in 2007 after teaching six years in Detroit. Previous to that I taught nine years at Traverse City St. Francis. Eight of my years have been in 4th grade. As a teacher, I love watching children in this age group learn to think abstractly. I suggest that as parents it is very important to talk with your children, especially 4th graders. They are becoming aware of the world around them and are excited by it. They are sensitive. Friendships are very important to them. Share this excitement with them. You can
never talk to your child too much. You need this as a family.
I have been married to Debbie for 35 years and we have three adult children Jim is married and teaches at the Leelanau School. His wife, Sarah delivered their first baby, our first grandson, Jacob in January. My daughter, Kate is married to Chris. They are the parents of our three beautiful little granddaughters, Anna (4), Liddie (2), and Hallie (newborn - November). Our youngest is Rob who graduated from U.M. and is a computer programmer in Chicago. He married a wonderful young woman and they are expecting their 1st neext Spring.
I love children and I love my profession. I believe that children are our gifts and should be nurtured in a caring and disciplined environment. We are blessed with a great school, a quality curriculum, and a dedicated teaching staff. The education of your child should be a team effort. You should be able to expect that I will give your children the best I can offer. In turn, I ask that you recognize the dire importance of a quality education and help make this learning a top priority.
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This is my 20th year of teaching. I started at Northport in 2007 after teaching six years in Detroit. Previous to that I taught nine years at Traverse City St. Francis. Eight of my years have been in 4th grade. As a teacher, I love watching children in this age group learn to think abstractly. I suggest that as parents it is very important to talk with your children, especially 4th graders. They are becoming aware of the world around them and are excited by it. They are sensitive. Friendships are very important to them. Share this excitement with them. You can
never talk to your child too much. You need this as a family.
I have been married to Debbie for 35 years and we have three adult children Jim is married and teaches at the Leelanau School. His wife, Sarah delivered their first baby, our first grandson, Jacob in January. My daughter, Kate is married to Chris. They are the parents of our three beautiful little granddaughters, Anna (4), Liddie (2), and Hallie (newborn - November). Our youngest is Rob who graduated from U.M. and is a computer programmer in Chicago. He married a wonderful young woman and they are expecting their 1st neext Spring.
I love children and I love my profession. I believe that children are our gifts and should be nurtured in a caring and disciplined environment. We are blessed with a great school, a quality curriculum, and a dedicated teaching staff. The education of your child should be a team effort. You should be able to expect that I will give your children the best I can offer. In turn, I ask that you recognize the dire importance of a quality education and help make this learning a top priority.
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My Mission Statement
My mission is to recognize that all students have the ability and the desire to learn. I will reach out to help them identify their strengths and recognize those skills that they need to improve. I will challenge their strengths and help them develop the tools to overcome perceived weaknesses. I will provide a positive and stimulating environment to drive them to develop a passion to become lifelong learners.
