I am entering my 19th year teaching in Utah.  Before, Salt Lake Arts Academy, I taught three years in Granite District.  I previously taught 1st, 5th, and 7th and 8th grade Math at Granite.  

I am originally from upstate NY.  I received my Bachelor's degree in Math and Secondary Math Education from Syracuse University with a minor in drama.  I also received my Master's degree in Elementary Education at Syracuse University.

  

While at Syracuse University, I was selected to be the school's mascot, Otto the Orange.  As Otto, I was able meet professional mascots in Orlando, Florida for the Celebrity Mascot Games and decided to pursue professional mascotting right after graduating from college.  So, I turned down a middle school teaching job that I was offered in Schenectady, New York and portrayed Herbie the Bulldog in Trenton, New Jersey for the Trenton Stars, a former International Basketball League team.  After Trenton, I was made aware of a WNBA job opening in Utah and became Fox, the Starzz mascot for two seasons.  Once the Starzz left for San Antonio, I became Zing, the Salt Lake Stingers mascot part time while teaching at the Salt Lake Arts Academy.

 

I love teaching at Salt Lake Arts Academy.  The students are motivated to learn, the problem based curriculum that we use in Math is exciting and engaging, and I love the arts! 

 

In my free time, I love playing all sports.  In particular, I love bowling, pickleball, tennis, softball, football, and kickball.  I have a wife and two girls ages 9 and 12.