About John
I am originally from Virginia, but have lived all over the United States. My path to being a technology teacher has been a long and winding one. I studied classical languages at Furman University and have my Bachelors Degree in Latin. After working several years in the restaurant industry in Santa Fe, New Mexico, I decided to go back to school for Media Arts, which had always interested me. I received my Masters Degree in Media Arts and Computer Science from New Mexico Highlands University in 2006.
I then worked 6 years in both commercial and public television while living in Eastern Virginia. My work consisted of web design and development, video editing and production, animation, and email marketing.
When my soon-to-be wife decided that she wanted to teach internationally in Puerto Vallarta Mexico, I decided I could free lance as a web designer and join her on her adventure living abroad.
Once the director of the American School of Puerto Vallarta heard that I has many years of professional experience, he offered me a part time job teaching computers and media arts to middle school students. This offer changed my life and transformed me into the passionate teacher of technology I am today. I soon moved on to teaching full time. Shortly after I began teaching, I earned my teaching certification in Computer Science and have not looked back.
Growing up in a teaching family, (mother, father, sister, grandparents have all been life long teachers), it only seems natural that I would also continue in that profession.
My wife and I have been in China teaching at the American International School of Guangzhou. We love it here and have grown professionally, but it is time to look for a new adventure for our family.
Teaching Philosophy
As both a teacher of new technology and a media artist working professionally for the past 15 years, I believe that the most important concept I can help foster in students is problem solving through project-based learning. I believe that STEAM teaching (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) is the way of the future. I teach all of my lessons using an interdisciplinary and applied approach to learning in the STEAM model.
As technology progresses rapidly, software, hardware, and programming languages come and go as well. Even though I teach concepts of media arts and computer science using tools like Photoshop, html, Java, or video editing software, I hope to instill in my students the ability to adapt with the changing environment in the world of technology. Knowing how to use Photoshop or how to hand code a web site is an amazing skill, but understanding the underlying concepts of how those tools are used and why to use them is far more substantive to me. The current software of today might not be the industry leaders of tomorrow. That is why I stress the essential skill of problem solving and instill a sense of curiosity in all of my class projects, so that when the inevitable happens and technology evolves, my students will be ready to take on the challenges of the future.
Areas of Interest
... and topics that I love to teach
IB DP Computer Science
I am currently teaching my third year of the IB Diploma Programme computer science curriculum. I absolutely love the depth of the content and the relevance of the different topics to the professional world.
Web Development
App Development
3D Design
3D design is highly relevant topic that students instantly gravitate towards. Whether it is in animation, printing, or game development, students are surrounded in 3D graphics and always excited to work in that medium. I have worked and taught in all aspects of 3D design and would be thrilled to continue if given the opportunity.
Animation
Animation is everywhere and students love it. I do too. Bringing your still images to life through motion is an amazing storytelling device. I worked as an animator for years in the television business before becoming a teacher, and it continues to be one of my favorite subjects to teach.
Game Development
Gaming is an enormous part of many students' lives. Much of my focus in graduate school was on interactivity through technology. Game development has been a consistent thread through my teaching career. An excellent way of bringing storytelling into a student's learning.
Multimedia Design
I started my professional career as a print designer. But design has been a constant throughout my professional and educational career. I love teaching how to express one's thoughts through media in all its forms.
Video Editing
Video editing and motion graphics are a favorite unit every year. Students love expressing themselves through video. I have worked in video and motion graphics, both professionally and in the teaching world, since 2009.
Robotics
Robotics is a newer passion of mine. I have been teaching robotics to middle school and high school students since 2019. Robotics is where the physical and the digital meet. Developing engineering skills and programming skills while solving relevant problems. I hope to continue developing my skills with robotics in the future and having the opportunity to share it with students.