I feel that I am a truly unique educator with experience ranging from “at-risk” alternative school students to international college preparatory schools. I have lived and taught in 5 different countries and have shown a lifelong commitment to educating and improving the lives of young people for over 30 years. At this time of my life, I want to plant roots and be a part of a school community that truly values both the academic and personal growth of its students. That the development of a caring, engaged, and critical thinking young adult is just as important as a student’s G.P.A. One that prepares kids for life after high school. The core principles that I teach in my class are; Empathy, Critical Thinking, and Honesty. I do my best to make class content interesting and relevant to my students. I pride myself on being a staff member that the administration can rely on to be dependable, flexible, and keep a positive attitude.I believe that learning can be accomplished in both formal and informal ways. Examples of assessing knowledge include but are not limited to; Exams, pop quizzes, group presentations/debates, IB-style extract papers, papers defending a student’s belief of an idea or event. Review games and class discussions. I also use my travels, advice from mentors, personal experiences, and humor to teach and connect with young people. End-of-the-year reviews from my students often include that they learned about the subject and life and as a social studies teacher “teaching about society” I believe that is important. Please contact me if you feel that I could play a positive role in your school community. I am open to community service and coaching opportunities.