Click here for a brief teaching resume.
I was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario (that's in Canada, near Buffalo, New York, for our American friends). I am the fifth of five children, as my parents decided to stop when they finally got it right. I was preceeded by Rick, Brenda, Mark and Paul.
I spent most of my childhood in school or in a skating rink, as I was a competitive figure skater until I began university. I mostly danced, as it gave me someone to talk to. My highest level of competition was at the Divisional Championships (Que. & 1/2 of Ontario) at the Junior Level. It all came to an inglorious end when I met the boards, shoulder first, during practice ice part way through the Divisionals in Rimouski, Que. The boards were fine, my shoulder was not.
After I started university I stayed on the ice, coaching for the next 10 years, until I finally figured out that there was better things to do with my time away from school, for example stained glass.
My post-secondary education featured a B.A. Honours in History from Carleton University (where the "C" stands for Cuality), followed by a M.A. in History at the same school. I liked it all, especially since I met the woman who would later become my wife there.
I then returned to Toronto to attend the Faculty of Education, University of Toronto. It was a good, relatively easy year, and I graduated bright-eyed and ready to take on every hard case in the Ontario Educational System. My philsophy of education has since evolved to a more realistic one, in which I strive to form respectful, meaningful and lasting relationships with my students. Even though we're still affected by Mike Harris' Ontario I love teaching - the interaction with students make up for most of the obstacles the government imposes. I could go on at length, email me if you want to hear it!
I supply taught for a year, followed by a year-long contract to replace a grade 7/8 teacher, then was hired on to teach grade 7/8 for a year. The next year I moved into the secondary panel, where I began teaching History, Geography and Law, as well as a couple computer courses. Every single day of my teaching career, with the exception of one supply day, has been at Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School.
I became Department Head of Social Studies in 1997, which briefly included the Creative Arts Department, and now includes the Religion Department. In 1998 I was also appointed Site Administrator, being responsible for the relatively smooth operation of the computers at the school, a task which I manage with a little bit of patience and a great deal of help.
I married Deanna on 11 October, 1997. I met Deanna at Carleton U., where she was studying Journalism. She got out of that program in her third year, and we began dating in May of 1988. We have been together ever since; our relationship even survived my teaching her how to drive a standard. I guess we were meant to be together and I was meant to teach! Deanna is a graphic designer, and works for Accurate Designs, a Graphic Design Studio in Ottawa.
In the summer of 2001 I taught World Issues in Kenya. It was exceptionally cool.
My spare time is used up with a number of sporting activities: cycling and baseball in the summer, curling and volleyball in the winter, squash all year round. I also do the stained glass thing, which I am enjoying more and more all the time. I especially enjoy the patio stones, as my soldering sucks. Sometimes I bake - check out this delicious banana bread recipe.
I also read as much as I can - my most recent books are The White Bone, Angela's Ashes, 'Tis, Larry's Party, A Star Called Henry, Guns, Germs and Steel, A Fine Balance, Family Matters, Barney's Version, Love, etc, The Stone Carvers, and am now working on Deafening.
In September, 2002, Deanna and I welcomed Vandal, a Bernese Mountain Dog, into our home. He is delightfully cute and lots of fun.
That's enough about me.