School: Meadowlawn Elementary
Other positions you have held in education: I was academic support coach for all elementary buildings in Kentwood Public Schools. I’ve also been an independent literacy consultant leading professional development with schools across Michigan. I also was a third-grade teacher at Buchanan Elementary in Grand Rapids Public Schools.
How about jobs outside education? Prior to working in education, I was a television news producer at WLWT-TV, the NBC station in Cincinnati, Ohio (my hometown).
Spouse/children: My wife’s name is Keyla. We have two daughters: Sofia, 11, and Carolina, 6.
Hobbies/interests/little-known talent: I love to write, play tennis and golf, and am also a big sports fan.
What kind of kid were you at the age of students at this new school? I was a nice kid with a big sense of humor. I loved school and have a lot of great memories of my time there.
The biggest lesson you have learned from students is … Never underestimate students. They will rise to the occasion time and time and time again. If you set the bar high with your expectations, they’ll do their best to meet them.
Finish this sentence: If I could go back to school I would go to __ grade because… third grade, because I remember it being one of my all-time favorite years, with a strong group of friends and a first-year teacher who was inspiring to all of us.
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