Position:  Senior Marine Instructor, Ruskin High School Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (SMI, RHS MCJROTC) Program. The official title of the program in our district is "Leadership Education". The program is designed for 9th-12th graders with the stated mission of "To develop character and citizenship in the youth of America".  

Years of teaching experience:  Started full-time at Ruskin HS on 1 February 2012.

Area of expertise:  Leadership Education, Military History, Physical Fitness, Life Skills.

Why I chose education as my [2nd] career of choice:  I am service oriented. After serving almost 30 years in the Marine Corps, I figured I could continue to serve our great Nation on the front lines of its future -- developing their character and citizenship so that they could become outstanding citizens. 

Personal interests:  Watching and playing sports (although my playing days have been limited since becoming an instructor), movies (mainly Sci-Fi and current crop of comic book) and everything I do with the cadets and my daughter (and I'm proud to say she is math teacher at Lee's Summit HS, having started School Year 2016-2017). 

Military personal awards:  Legion of Merit Medal (LOM), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM), Meritorious Service Medal (w/3 Gold Stars) (MSM), Joint Service Achievement Medal (JSAM). 

Education award:  Ruskin High School Building Teacher of the Year for School Year 2017-2018. 

Facebook:  "Ruskin HS Mcjrotc".