As some people may know, I was not a model student in high school. The Army saved me. I earned a GED and then, many years later, a doctorate, something I could never have imagined back then.
Along the way I’ve worked in a lot of different industries: the military, technology, agriculture, manufacturing, consulting, and then K-12 education, where I’ve been a tech director, a CTO, an associate superintendent, and a superintendent (twice).
The most rewarding job of them all was classroom teacher.
I started in education as a Computer Support Tech at Le Grand Union High School District and a few years later made the jump to CTE teacher, where I taught networking, computer systems, and programming, and mentored students through the MOUSE Squad program. That hands-on foundation shaped everything that came after.
This week I started doing something few senior education executives get to do. I’m going back to working directly with students and teachers.
I’ve joined the Santa Cruz County Office of Education as the Design and Innovation (Makerspace) Teacher on Special Assignment. The work is supporting makerspaces, teaching CTE concepts through hands-on making and design, and helping teachers and students explore engineering and architecture careers and pathways. We’re building a model Makerspace CTE program for the future.
I’ve always believed the hands-on work in the classroom is the foundation of public education. Now I get to spend my time on the work itself, building something concrete and relevant with teachers and students.
I feel fortunate to be in a position to make this choice at this point in my career. I’m returning to my why. Time to get to work.
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