About Me

 

One of my students once said to me: "Teaching is your vocation, not just your profession."  Teaching has been the major part of my life for many years. Most recently, teaching computer science  is my passion.  Students learn in different ways.

 

My educational philosophy and beliefs are founded in many teaching experiences with students in grades K - 12, students at the university level, and teachers at all levels. In addition to teaching, my experiences include overseeing and advising course audits, designing instructional practices which directly align with given course frameworks, serving on test development committees, providing and  organizing teacher professional development, organizing and promoting national and international outreach to teachers, and serving in leadership positions for various national organizations.

I also spend summers working with teachers of computer science, particularly teachers of AP Computer Science.  I have been actively working with College Board's AP Program since 1985. I absolutely love helping inexperienced teachers learn  pedagogical techniques that will help them succeed in their classrooms! One of my newest endeavors is being a Greenfoot hub!

But I do have a life outside of the classroom!

 

Running is my first passion. I started running in 1985 and since that time, running has been part of my life's routine. I run for me.  Sometimes I run with friends. Sometimes I compete in local races.

Swimming and biking also occupy some of my summertime activities. And yes, so does the occasional triathlon! I like to complete at least one per year. Photos to prove it!

  

Wintertime brings skiing. I  do both alpine and nordic skiing. For the last 3 years it's been free-heel skiing! When weather permits and snow conditions are good, cross-country skiing is my choice and High Point Cross Country Ski Area  is my "home" area.   But here in NJ, the snow doesn't always fall naturally!  So, off to Mountain Creek Ski Resort on the telemark skis!  I ski only for pleasure now. After 16 years of being on the ski patrol, I finally decided that I might like to actually ski more! And so now I am a ski patrol "alumnus".  I do, however, keep my PSIA ski instructor status current for telemark and nordic.

 

And finally there is SCUBA diving! I just completed year 20 as a PADI professional! I teach SCUBA for Ocean Explorers in Edison, NJ and for Picatinny Arsenal. Another of my hobbies is underwater photography.

 

About my family: I spend most of my time with my life-long best friend, Eli. We do most of those athletic activities together!  We love to play! We live near the ski area so skiing in the winter is very convenient! We have 4 cats (BJ, Bode, Kipper, and Egon) and 2 tropical fish (a 14 year-old tomato clown and a much younger blue wrasse).  We live in the country part of NJ and have many "neighborhood friends". Our most remarkable friend is Tripod.

 

My favorite books: My commute to work is at least one hour one-way. Most of my "reading" is through audiobooks. My favorites are listed here. I do admit that the narrator of the audiobook could make or break the story for me!

 

Pleasure

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling

The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo (Trilogy) by Stieg Larsson

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

The Hunger Games (Trilogy) by Suzanne Colllings

 

Born to Run by Christopher McDougall

Chi Running by Danny Dreyer and Katherine Dreyer