As a teacher of English Literature and Composition, I had the pleasure of working with many uniquely talented, creative, and fascinating students at this distinguished magnet school for the arts, along with the opportunity of working with several renouned, award-winning, and highly recognized educational professionals.Established and currently coach the school's first high school debate team.More than 98 percent of my students passed the 2017 NC exam in English IV, and… Show more As a teacher of English Literature and Composition, I had the pleasure of working with many uniquely talented, creative, and fascinating students at this distinguished magnet school for the arts, along with the opportunity of working with several renouned, award-winning, and highly recognized educational professionals.Established and currently coach the school's first high school debate team.More than 98 percent of my students passed the 2017 NC exam in English IV, and approximately two-thirds of those earned grades of A or B. Received a district commendation based on the performances of my students on the College Board's AP Exam in English Literature and Composition. Show less

Taught, coached, and served in the following capacities:My Honors English IV students earned a 100 percent passage rate on the State of North Carolina Final Exam for English IV, administered in June, 2016. Ninety-six percent of my Honors English IV students earned passing scores on the same exam, administered in January of 2016.Students from my debate team finished with national rankings in 2003 (#7) and 2004 (#5).Debate I-IV, teacher and team coach, specializing in… Show more Taught, coached, and served in the following capacities:My Honors English IV students earned a 100 percent passage rate on the State of North Carolina Final Exam for English IV, administered in June, 2016. Ninety-six percent of my Honors English IV students earned passing scores on the same exam, administered in January of 2016.Students from my debate team finished with national rankings in 2003 (#7) and 2004 (#5).Debate I-IV, teacher and team coach, specializing in Public Forum Debate, Student Congress, Mock Trial, and Moot Court. Awarded a 10-year Master Teacher retention bonus by CMS Schools. Served as a facilitator in AP English Literature and Composition for the school system's AP Alliance program, a position which provided me an opportunity to help other AP teachers within the district as needed.My senior students have earned the schools'​ highest Graduation Project scores for at least 10 years.Designated "Coach of Distinction"​ by the National Forensic League (NFL). Coach a debate team that has earned recognition on the local, regional, and national stage, including two top-ten national finishes; two NFL-United Nations Awards for International Legislative Debate; two-time participants at Harvard University's National Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament; significant success in both Mock Trial and Moot Court competitions; and many of my students have been inducted into the National Forensic League (NFL). Debate Tournaments' Events JudgeMember, School Scholarship Committee Show less

Courses taught and positions held:Master English TeacherAwarded a 10-year Master Teacher retention incentive by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.Advanced Placement (AP) Master Teacher for English Language and Composition for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District's AP Alliance Program.English Department Chair (7 years) and Co-Chair (2 years) during 9 of the 18 years I served at this Title I school.Lead Teacher, English III (American Literature and… Show more Courses taught and positions held:Master English TeacherAwarded a 10-year Master Teacher retention incentive by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.Advanced Placement (AP) Master Teacher for English Language and Composition for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District's AP Alliance Program.English Department Chair (7 years) and Co-Chair (2 years) during 9 of the 18 years I served at this Title I school.Lead Teacher, English III (American Literature and Composition)Lead Teacher, English IV (British Literature and Composition) --English 9 (English Literature and Composition) --English 11 (American Literature and Composition) Standard and Honors --English 12 (British Literature and Composition) Standard, Honors, and AP --Creative Writing (9-12) --Literary Magazine ("Pegasus"​) adviser --Literature and FilmMentor for new teachers; student teachers, and for many college students--teachers in training--undertaking field experiences by observing my teaching methods.Mentor--Debate CoachesCreated approximately 75 percent a new curriculum guide for use by English 12 teachers in our school district.Curriculum and test-question writer for the school district.Graduation Project (a.k.a. Senior Exit) Co-Coordinator--4 yearsNational Tournament Registration Chairperson for the Queen City Nationals, 2000, the high school national debate tournament sponsored by the National Forensic League and hosted by CMS schools.Chess Coach--Served three years as the school's chess coach, turning the position and program over to another capable teacher as my responsibilities as Debate Coach increasingly consumed a significant amount of time. Show less

Although I am enjoying the semi-retirement experience immensely, I may (reluctantly) consider uncapping a pen on a case-by-case basis, if summoned for particularly pressing projects. If unable to assist you, I can recommend individuals and/or groups in possession of singularly creative talent in most of the following areas:Freelance writing, editing, and consultation services for ghostwriting, lyrics, songwriting, collaborations, liner notes, fiction, poetry, drama, political and… Show more Although I am enjoying the semi-retirement experience immensely, I may (reluctantly) consider uncapping a pen on a case-by-case basis, if summoned for particularly pressing projects. If unable to assist you, I can recommend individuals and/or groups in possession of singularly creative talent in most of the following areas:Freelance writing, editing, and consultation services for ghostwriting, lyrics, songwriting, collaborations, liner notes, fiction, poetry, drama, political and corporate speech writing, fiction, nonfiction, autobiographical works memoirs, humor, jokes, exposes, headline writing, copy writing, full-media advertising and public relations, research writing, technical writing, proposals, titles, documents, dust jacket copy and commentary, logo design, slogans, miscellaneous "propaganda," and other tasks requiring words, sounds, images, and electrons to behave properly. (Circumstances requiring particular discretion can often be addressed through the use of an "NDA" or similar agreement.) Show less

Launched as a logical extension with the expertise gained through my experience as an investment banker and broker for a Wall Street firm, coupled with a degree and graduate hours in the field of economics, and sparked by a keen interest in the subject matter, I spent years studying markets, trends, companies, industries, and the people who comprise them in a more or less successful effort to gain invaluable insights into the oftentimes enigmatic world of investing.

Honored to receive this award while teaching at Richard M. Milburn High School, VA Beach, VA

Taught English 9-12 (all levels), concurrently serving as school's Head Teacher and Dean of Students.Recipient of National Teacher of the Year Award.

Worked primarily as a theatrical lighting and secondarily as a sound technician and projectionist affiliated with the world's largest entertainment union--the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (I.A.T.S.E). Served in variety of capacities, eventually specializing in lighting projects in live theater, concerts, and television productions.A few highlights included the opportunity to work with some of the earliest laser lighting used in rock concerts, serving on the… Show more Worked primarily as a theatrical lighting and secondarily as a sound technician and projectionist affiliated with the world's largest entertainment union--the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (I.A.T.S.E). Served in variety of capacities, eventually specializing in lighting projects in live theater, concerts, and television productions.A few highlights included the opportunity to work with some of the earliest laser lighting used in rock concerts, serving on the crew of an MTV video productions (Aerosmith's "Sweet Emotion")​ shoot, and working as a lighting grip on the set of the 1990 season pilot (two episodes) for the MATLOCK television series.Possess the expertise in the operation, maintenance, and repair of most of the equipment--including board troubleshooting and operation--used in the above-mentioned productions, from carbon arcs (the "cleanest" light on Earth, or at least on ice) forward. Show less

Broker: Placed clients into lucrative investments--both bonds and equities--in line with their overall investment goals, risk tolerance, and portfolio objectives.Investment Banking: Introduced investors to investment instruments structured for start-up companies and/or seasoned organizations going public with IPOs, an area in which the company for which I worked often served in the role as a market maker. Having earned the distinction of being the most productive new broker… Show more Broker: Placed clients into lucrative investments--both bonds and equities--in line with their overall investment goals, risk tolerance, and portfolio objectives.Investment Banking: Introduced investors to investment instruments structured for start-up companies and/or seasoned organizations going public with IPOs, an area in which the company for which I worked often served in the role as a market maker. Having earned the distinction of being the most productive new broker in the region in which my office was located--along with the benefits related to that distinction--and seeking to implement philosophically different approaches to investing, I left the company to pursue alternative opportunities and investments, eventually becoming an independent investor, trader, and private portfolio manager. Show less

Concurrently taught college College English and the Fundamentals of Economics (Macro) to community college students.

Operated a boutique advertising and public relations agency specializing in servicing small to mid-sized businesses--from restaurants to roofing companies--that could usually not afford the services of larger agencies. My promotional efforts for one of my clients--a local restaurant--resulted in its inclusion in a feature article in the "Food" section of the NEW YORK TIMES.

Taught the fundamentals of creative writing (most genres) and film and animation to specially gifted, mufti-talented students with stratospheric IQ levels that kept me quite humble.

Served as a two-subject tutor for the school's Students Services Division and for the Athletic Department.

Studied under John McKernan (poetry) and Richard Spilman (fiction).Taught Freshman English courses and served as an instructor in the school's Writing Clinic while working towards my M.A. in English, with a specialization in writing and graduate minor in International Economics.Concurrently served as a tutor in English and Economics for Marshall's Student Services Center and athletic department and worked weekends as an instructor for Ohio University's Ironton, Ohio Southern… Show more Studied under John McKernan (poetry) and Richard Spilman (fiction).Taught Freshman English courses and served as an instructor in the school's Writing Clinic while working towards my M.A. in English, with a specialization in writing and graduate minor in International Economics.Concurrently served as a tutor in English and Economics for Marshall's Student Services Center and athletic department and worked weekends as an instructor for Ohio University's Ironton, Ohio Southern branch campus, helping students prepare for the ACT. Show less

Helped students to successfully prepare for the ACT (1981-1983).

Oversaw a very sizable annual advertising budget, approximately 80 percent of which came from major film studios for promoting films shown in 5 theaters with a total of 13 screens. Purchased and oversaw placement of newspaper space, radio spots, television ads, and created newspaper ad layouts. Invited by a member of the American Advertising Federation (AAF/WV) to submit one of my ad layouts for consideration for an Addy Award.Handled PR needs as they arose; Intermittently booked… Show more Oversaw a very sizable annual advertising budget, approximately 80 percent of which came from major film studios for promoting films shown in 5 theaters with a total of 13 screens. Purchased and oversaw placement of newspaper space, radio spots, television ads, and created newspaper ad layouts. Invited by a member of the American Advertising Federation (AAF/WV) to submit one of my ad layouts for consideration for an Addy Award.Handled PR needs as they arose; Intermittently booked movies, and oversaw purchasing for the company's in-house commissary operations.Coordinated film bookings for the company's Midnight Movie and Sunday Film Series.In the early-1980's I coordinated the filming of a short video documentary highlighting Huntington's Keith-Albee Theater, opened in 1928, which today remains in operation as an entertainment venue and stands as remains one of the most magnificent architectural gems in the Southeastern U.S. I was honored to have my name appear solo at the end of the "Thanks to" credits, at the very end of this outstanding video production. Show less