Department(s)
Health & Physical Fitness
History
Social Science
Education & Experience
• BA in History, College of William and Mary
• MA in Moral Theology, Christendom College
• JD, George Mason University; member of the Virginia State Bar
• Teaching Since: 2014
• With WTMA Since: 2014
Courses Taught
Kinesiology & Nutrition I: Movement and Healthy Choices for the Active Student
Kinesiology & Nutrition II: Nutrition and Healthy Choices for the Active Student
Kinesiology & Nutrition III: Rest and Recovery
Kinesiology & Nutrition IV: Advanced Health Challenges
Economics
Story of the Modern Age
Story of Early Modern Times
U.S. Government
Adulting: Financial Literacy, College Study Skills, & Career Planning
Introduction to Ethics and Moral Philosophy
Adulting: Finance & Goal Planning; Resumes & Real Life
Introduction to Engineering for the Logic Stage
Bio
My passion for history and writing began during my time at The College of William and Mary, where I had outstanding professors (including Susan Wise Bauer!). I subsequently spent a number of years working in both the United States and Europe. I took a detour attending law school and practicing full-time for a few years.
The reality is that despite my love for the law (and maintaining a part-time practice; once a lawyer, always a lawyer!), teaching is my vocation. I want to plant, water, and nurture the seeds of life-long learning in my students. I believe in providing the virtues and tools necessary for every student to make learning a life-long endeavor.
My intellectual pursuits are diverse. including history, government, law, philosophy, kinesiology, and life skills. Social studies, indeed all classical education, are truly for every aspect of life!
On a personal note, I live with my wife and four children at the foothills of the Blue Ridge in Hamilton, Virginia. Together we garden, take care of several animals, and enjoy indulging in the beautiful outdoors.
My teaching style aims primarily to walk along with students as they learn and master a new skill and body of knowledge. As such, student assignments in my courses build on one another; the expectation is that a paper written in December shows significant improvement from one in September. Students should incrementally and steadily build their abilities to maintain confidence and interest in the subject through sustained success in challenging situations. Classes are dedicated to review key points of practice and to deepen subject-matter knowledge through interactive slides, media (including artwork, maps, and photographs), and directed discussion, suitable to the level of the class.
Teaching Sample
Question and Answer
Q: What type of student would find your class especially enjoyable or benefit the most from your style of teaching?
A:
Students who are active, organized, and motivated to learn independently are ideally suited for my classes. My classes met once a week and the readings and outside assignments take advantage of the self-motivation that homeschool students possess in taking ownership over their studies. We explore ideas together as a class; we discuss interesting topics; and then we apply that through learning and exercises that provide substantive opportunities to improve on thinking, writing, and expressing well.
Q: What is something you like to do with students in the online classroom that you aren’t able to do in person?
A:
Despite the distance between us, my classes build a close community with one another through the in class discussions and the weekly discussion boards. I interact with students several times per week, and students really get the opportunity to share their thoughts with me. For me and my students, class is the best hour of our week.
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