Why I teach at Trinity Lutheran High SchoolWhen I was attending Lutheran High School LaVerne, I first made my decision to teach science. As a student in the education program at Concordia University Irvine, my goal was to teach in East Los Angeles, a place which really needed teachers who cared and wanted to make a difference in student's lives. But God had other plans for me when my wife received a call to teach at Concordia University, Portland. I taught in public schools in the Portland area for 12 years, including service as the head of the biotech magnet for Portland Public High Schools. During that time I earned a master's degree at Oregon Health Sciences University in biochemistry and molecular biology and did graduate study in education at the University of Portland. I also became part of the Partners in Science program and was paired with a mentor with degrees from Cornell and Harvard. It was a pleasure to spend a summer doing research into human physiology and cooperating with a lab group.
We moved to Bend in 2001 and I set up a web-based business at home and began volunteering at my son's school. I was then asked to join the faculty in 2006. I value a small school learning environment and Lutheran education. I feel called to inspire students to consider science and technology careers and to better understand science so that they can be informed citizens in this technology-driven society. I believe that the best way to understand science is to do scientific research and engineering projects. That is why I stress the Regeneron Science Fair as a part of our science classes here at Trinity. I believe the education my sons receive here is truly preparing them for competition in the global marketplace. I look forward to the great things my students will teach me and the amazing things we will discover together! |