Welcome to my History Home Pages! 

General GPS Information

Most GPS students know me from assembly announcements or the Friday Current Events programs, but since we'll be spending lots of time together in class, I'd like you to know a wee bit more about my background and interests.

I've been at GPS for twelve years and, during that time, I've taught almost every course in the History Department except for the Bible classes.  It's difficult for me to decide which division I enjoy most - - World History, European History or U. S. History.  My answer usually correlates to the course or courses I'm currently teaching.  Each year I teach Advanced Placement Modern European History plus I often teach a World History and a U. S. History.  This year, in addition to AP Euro, I will be teaching AP US History and  a new course I have designed called Constitutional Law.  I'm very excited about the new course because I fear that we too often do not reach the modern era in our standard courses and this is a chance to study the most recent history.  It should be a great year!

Background Info

I'm a native Tennessean and, although I've traveled extensively, I've never visited another place that had quite the same tug on my heartstrings that Tennessee's mountains, rivers and lakes have.  I attended Tennessee colleges [Tennessee Tech, B.A. and M.S.; UTK, Ed.D(ABD)] and I've had a number of different professional experiences since those college days.  I've taught and been an administrator in both public and private secondary and university settings.  I worked in the private sector for over ten years as a Corporate Human Resources and Training Manager for a multi-national corporation, directed the efforts of a Political Action Committee (PAC), coordinated interaction with  the Tennessee General Assembly and the Tennessee delegation to the United States Congress and just generally thrived in the manufacturing world. 

I returned to teaching when my daughter, Raz, was in elementary school because my travel schedule meant I was missing too many of her important events.  I've never regretted that decision - - I love teaching and I'm quite lucky to teach at GPS.  Teaching encourages me to continue learning and I'm always looking for another class to take or another book to read.  This summer I've indulged those interests with an on-line course from Harvard University and a number of wonderful books including Michael Harrigan's The Gates of the Alamo [my rating - ****].

Meet My Family

Return to Home Page