About Me

I was born and raised in San Diego and graduated from Crawford high school in 1991 (go Colts !).  I attended Humboldt State University (before it was a Cal Poly) and earned a BA in Social Science with a minor in Ethnic Studies.  After graduating from college I proposed to my high school sweetheart (Ms. Dickens) who had just graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a BS in Environmental Engineering.  She also teaches at Henry!  I then attended San Diego State University where I earned an MA in United States history as well as my teaching credential.  Ms. Dickens and I  have one daughter who graduated from Sonoma State University with a BA in Geography and Environmental Studies and is currently working for the Sonoma County Resource Conservation District.

This will be my 26th year as a teacher.  All of them, including my student teaching, have been at Henry.  In addition to American Government, Economics and AP Government and Politics I've taught AP World History, Global, Political and Economic Decisions (GLOPED) and 20th Century American Popular Culture.  I've been the faculty advisor for Junior Model United Nations, Key Club and served on Henry's Site Governance Team.  I have coached the Henry water polo teams (boys and girls) as well as the swim team.  I work as an AP exam reader in addition to being a consultant for the College Board.  I also ran for President of the United States in the California Green Party Primary in 2024 in which I tied for second place (see pg.10).

When I'm not at school, preparing to be at school or thinking about school I enjoy gardening in my yard.  This summer I've grown tomatoes, bell peppers, egg plant, melons, cucumbers, basil, oregano, artichokes, grapes, luffa and beans.  I have four chickens that lay delicious eggs and one cat (Lady Purz-a-Lot) that contributes nothing.  I also enjoy listening to music, making tie-dyes, home-brewing and endless Zoom meetings.