Meet Your Teacher

This is my 10th year at Johnston City High School during my "re-entry" into the education field. I taught graphic/print communications and radio/tv production back in 1993-94. I have also been a substitute teacher and coach for the district before re-entering the profession five years ago.

I graduated from SIU-C in 1988 with a B.S. in Communications and Fine Arts, majoring in Journalism and minoring in Social Science. I completed additional coursework in Secondary Education and Social Studies at McKendree College in Lebanon, Illinois, as well as earning Master of Science in Educational Technology Integration at Walden University. I am also a 1981 graduate of Johnston City High School.

Before I became a teacher, I worked in a variety of jobs. I was a newspaper reporter, graphic artist, owned my own newspaper, was a Press Aide for U.S. Congressman Ken Gray (D-IL-Retired), and a Project Director for DxR Development, a medical software development company. Along with my career in education, I currently own E-World Design Innovations, a web design and optimization firm, with my partner, Honcho Lannom. I am also a shareholder, Public Relations Expert, and Design Engineer, for The Pinnacle of Sports (www.thepinnacleofsports.com), the brainchild of former NFL standout, Ray May. I hope that my experience in the "real world" will benefit you, the student, in the classroom.

For those of you who don't know, I am a HUGE Star Trek fan! I finally got to visit "Star Trek: The Experience" at the Las Vegas Hilton three times over the past three years. It was definitely worth the wait! I am also a fan of "Star Wars," and like to read. My favorite authors are Stephen King, Edgar Allen Poe, John Grisham, and Mary Higgins Clark, but I'll read just about anything. My musical tastes range from Mozart to Toby Keith, so again, I like many types of music and different artists. Those of you looking for "brownie points" might consider depositing some root beer barrels or lemon drops in the candy jar on my desk! I also enjoy theatre, Nintendo, and movies. My one big dislike is HOUSEWORK!

Most of you already know that I am married to middle school teacher Roger and have three children, Adam, Kaitie, and Jory. Adam, 27 (JCHS 2000), is a 2004 graduate (Magna Cum Laude) of McKendree College. holds a Masters Degree in Acting from the Actors' Studio/New School University in New York City. He currently resides in NYC where he is pursing a degree in acting. Kaitie, 21, is a 2006 graduate of JCHS graduate from McKendree University in May with a major in theatre and music. She plans to attend grad school somewhere in the East. Jory is 15 and is a JCHS freshman. He plays a sport every season and is Vice President of his class.