I grew up in a small community in the western portion of West Virginia. During my time in high school I was always inspired by the unique way in which my agriculture education instructors presented learning. This, along with my love of America’s largest industry, drove me to West Virginia University, where I graduated in 2002 with a B.S. in Agricultural and Environmental Education. My first teaching job was in Winchester, Virginia at James Wood High School. After a couple of years, I yearned for new opportunity in my home state. I took the short trip back across the border to Jefferson High School, located just a few miles outside of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.
I have been at Jefferson since 2004, teaching Agricultural Mechanics I, II, and III, Aquaculture, Large Animal and Veterinary Science, Equine Science and Agriculture and Natural Resources. I have also been advising the school’s FFA Chapter throughout my time here. I have recently taken on the role of Career and Technical Education Department Head at JHS as well.
Although I have been working, and nearly completed a Master’s degree in agricultural education at West Virginia University, I found that it was not serving my desire to become a better classroom teacher. As luck would have it, I happened upon an internet link regarding the MAT Program at USC and began the course work in February of 2010. My experiences in courses and activities of the program have invigorated my already strong love of teaching. Additionally, it has reinforced many of the positive things that I have been doing in the classroom, as well as offered me alternatives to less effective techniques.
