Biography
As a full-time faculty professor in the Education Department at Scottsdale Community College (SCC), I am passionate about sharing the rewarding field of education with both undergraduate students pursuing associate degrees and post-baccalaureate students in our Scottsdale Teacher Education Program (STEP). It’s a privilege to guide future educators on their journey to make a lasting impact.
My career began in Recreation Administration, after earning my undergraduate degree from California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo. Over six years, I led recreation teams in international locations, which sparked my interest in leadership and ultimately led me back to Cal Poly for an MBA. A strong desire to find more purpose in my work then led me to pursue teacher certification credentials from SCC (Go Artichokes!). The STEP program was an incredible educational experience that truly shaped my career.
After earning my teaching credential, I taught middle school in Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) before transitioning into various roles, including instructional coach, Positive Behavior Intervention and Support Specialist, and middle school technology teacher at an IB campus. I also served as the Support Services Coordinator for SUSD for five years. Along the way, I earned a Master of Education degree, which opened opportunities to teach college-level courses. I began by teaching student success courses at ITT Technical Institute, Social Studies methods courses at Grand Canyon University, and serving as an Online Faculty Trainer for Western International University. Additionally, I advised master’s theses at Concordia University and was an adjunct instructor at SCC for over 10 years before transitioning to a full-time faculty position this year.
I am deeply committed to creating authentic learning experiences that engage students and build meaningful relationships to inspire their thirst for knowledge.
Outside of my professional life, I enjoy outdoor recreation with my wonderful wife and three amazing children. We love exploring the Rockies and Pacific together, cruising around local lakes and hikes, making cherished memories along the way.