Meet Mr. T

Background

After 20 years, I retired from the Marine Corps at the rank of Lt. Colonel.  I then had the opportunity to join an instructional design team in Atlanta, Georgia. I was hired as the subject matter expert and technical writer in developing seven computer-based training (CBT) modules on Joint Air Operations. This was my first introduction to instructional multi-media system design.

I enjoyed the challenges of working with a client (the military) I knew well. After two years developing CBTs I decided to go back to school and get my Masters in Special Education.....I always wanted to be a teacher. My undergraduate degree is in Psychology from Texas A&M, class of '72.

After earning my Masters from Georgia State University in 1994, I worked two years at Forest Park High School, in south Atlanta. I really enjoyed teaching teenagers, some of whom I still receive letters today, i.e., "Mr. T, hope you remember my birthday..." While working at Forest Park, I built two multimedia computers that I used extensively in my classroom.

In 1996 my wife and I decided to move back to California to be closer to our family. Shortly after settling in Vista, I was employed as a preschool teacher at California Avenue School within the Vista Unified School District.  I have been a preschool teacher now for 9 years and I love it.  I recently completed my Early Childhood Levels 1 and  2 credential through San Diego State University while also working on my second Masters (Educational Technology).  See the web site I recently completed for SDSU!

This year I am teaching a morning class and I serve our school district as an assistive technology coordinator.  I have "first hand" experience of integrating technology into our classroom ( I have 4 multimedia computers into my classroom). I have learned that preschoolers are "sponges" for learning, and what you see is what you get.  Please visit my classroom to learn more about our classroom routine and what your child should bring to school.  Because of the rewarding experiences I have enjoyed with my students, while meeting the challenges of integrating technology into our curriculum.  

As parents and related service professionals, if you have an idea of how we can better enhance communications and collaboration with each other, let me know.  You might be interested in seeing our online collaboration form.

Interests, Activities and Plans

When it comes to sports, my family enjoys scuba diving, water-skiing, wake boarding, snow skiing, and fishing. My first love is water skiing, especially trick skiing. We are Charger fans, so on a given Sunday in the Fall, you will find us cheering for the Chargers.  Also, my grandson and granddaughter (her picture is with me above) love to volunteer in my class.  My wife Martha is an Instructional Assistant at California Avenue.  One of the many "loves" of our life is Max, a Yellow Lab, who was the Mascot of my Marine Corps Squadron before we both retired from the Corps in 92.  He recently passed away in August 2003 after 14 years of wonderful love and devotion.  We really miss our "best friend" but his memories live on in our new Yellow Lab who we recently adopted from the Lab Rescuers in San Diego.  Our new Lab, Sailor, had a tough beginning and was abandoned but eventually rescued by Lab Rescuers.  We love Sailor and he reflects how we adapt to changes in our lives.