Why did you want to be a teacher?

Wow, great question! I was "called" to work with kids at nineteen. I wanted to be a person who believed in each child to the end of them believing in themselves. Teaching provided an avenue to show that an adult friend cared for them and acted on that care by providing tools to ignite their "inner lightbulb." As an insecure child, I had several teachers who had mentored this for me and set me on a course to model the same for other students.

Sixteen wonderful years. Laurel Springs provides an amazing platform to ignite each student's uniqueness. Can you imagine how exciting that can be to any conscientious teacher???? Can you imagine enrollment counselors who work hard to match each student's uniqueness to just the "appropriate" teacher? That's LS. Can you imagine testing each new student (thanks Victoria and Mariemma) to determine the student's best "Learning Style" and alerting the assigned teacher to relate the work to said "style?" That's Laurel Springs! Can you imagine the luxury of one-to-one frequent conversations with students/parents ......building bridges? (My listening heart has been involved in many a family crisis through earned respect.) Thanks, Laurel Springs! Or how about those redo boxes on the on-line courses that give a student a chance to correct a question and learn from his mistake and earn a better grade? That's LS, not the public school where I also taught! I am one grateful critter!

What is your favorite student quote?

My gifted student in England...(we actually talk frequently on phone).....Ethan Dorman E. Followwill "Although I'm brought to hand and knee, The hazy paths of future see, This counterpoint; Polyphony, Shadows, dust, or legacy."

Would you share a special memory of working with a student/alum with us?

Brendon Sievers came to LS and assigned to me in ninth grade. Brendon had a learning disability, lived in NYC and had developed a negative attitude from public education. His first assignments were full of expletives and unanswered question. Having tried all my tricks of the trade learned from growing up with only boys, raising only boys and working sixteen years as athletic trainer in high school football programs, I resorted to desperate prayer. "Father, there's a way to each kid....HELLLLLLLLLLLLP! Thankfully, I was reminded that bribery worked on my young sons. Sooooooo, I called, shared the idea with Brandon's frustrated mom, Bernadette, got her permission and then hit Brandon with it. "Hey, Brendon, this is not working, and I am frankly not impressed with your answers and expletives. I've heard it all in locker rooms. So, here's the deal! If by the end of your first semester in ninth grade, you have all "As," I will give you $100. Do you agree to that?" "Yeh!" he shot back. I sealed the deal with a 3,500 mile high-five, and Brandon was off! Not only did Brandon earn that $100, but he was graduated from LS several years ago with four years of straight "As." That's Laurel Springs!

What are you up to that would be of interest to our alumni?

My desire (and I am working to that end) to increase the scholarship fund so that more students can have the above benefits of a Laurel Springs education BOTH HERE AND OVERSEAS. In addition I am involved with the YOUNG LIFE Coastal Valleys Board of Directors.

Do you have any special message for our alumni?

Student's testimonies during my fifteen years of graduation ceremonies have always blessed me and often made me cry. The unique climate of our school fosters teacher/student relations that shape lives and often change and restore them; thus, fueling the teachers and school staff. Now, with the publication of this alumni newspaper, more folks will be privy to these success stories. Also, we shall hear of how the Laurel Springs experience has born fruit in the ongoing path of you alumni and your families. YAHOO!