I've taken a strange and interesting path to the classroom. It all started with a degree in Broadcast Communications from North Central College.
During my time there, my roommate and I started a television production company. We turned one bedroom of our apartment into an edit suite and began working on everything from weddings to television commercials.
Shortly after graduation we sent in a pilot to The Outdoor Channel for a fishing show. It was picked up. For the next five years I hosted that program and traveled the nation.
After the show ran its course, my contacts in the outdoor industry asked me to work as a sales rep. Since I was out of work at the time it sounded like a great idea. The next couple of years were a whirlwind of travel and adventure.
During all of these outdoor occupations a local paper contacted me and asked if I would be interested in writing a weekly column on the outdoors. Into The Outdoors is now in its twelfth year of continuous publication and nearing 700 published articles.
I still didn't feel fulfilled. Not to mention my travels kept me away from my family 200 nights a year.
I quit my sales job, went back to school, and now I teach fifth grade in Minooka, IL. During this tenure I realized that preparing for writing stressed a lot of great teachers. I also noticed that most of my students felt the same way. I was determined to change this.
The Page Writer was born! I promised myself to provide teachers with everything they need to teach high quality lessons that engage kids. I hope you find these plans meet those specifications. If not, contact me and I will make sure you get what you need.
I am also in the process of selling my first Young Adult manuscript. Keep your fingers crossed that one day you will see it in bookstores across the country.
Oh, did I mention I grew up a plumber? Yep. I bet there are very few other educators who can say they have stood calf deep in raw sewage. It builds character. At least that is what I tell myself.
I told you it was a strange path.