1.1. My wife and I have been involved in many different organizations that participate in community service and so we have a strong sense that we should be helping other people and serving to raise up others and to fix problems that are around, like litter cleanup.
2. Faith
2.1. This may seem like an odd one to add to this but my faith is a stronger part of my personal moral compass. I believe that we as humans are not meant as some believe to have dominion over and conquer the world but rather to be stewards of the gift that we have been given. I am a firm believer in the phrase "do no harm" as well as the phrase "take only photos and leave only footprints"
3. Upbringing
3.1. I was raised by my mom and my grandparents. My grandparents grew up in the time of the great depression and that gave them a strong sense of taking ownership of the world around you, and the best way to do that is by taking care of it. My grandparents were cattle ranchers when I was growing up, so I spent alot of time out in their fields and that gave me an early love of the outdoors.
4. Family
4.1. My wife and daughter strongly contribute to my world view. My wife is an outdoorsy, rough and tumble type of woman. She's not afraid to go for a hike or spend a week camping. We went fishing for our honeymoon. My daughter is 2 and was born partially blind. She had corrective surgery at 2 months old and can know see well with strong glasses. She is curious about everything and loves to explore and I can't wait to introduce her to all the amazing things there are to see, hear, smell, and explore.
5. Career
5.1. This is my 9th year teaching and I have only ever taught science. In each class no matter what science I'm teaching I always try to give my students a since of wonder about the world around them. In the last few years I have spent my summers working as a summer camp instructor at the Dallas Zoo. This has only added to my appreciation for the natural world and the great outdoors, but more than anything it has given me a stronger sense of urgency and importance in my role as an environmental educator.
6. Education
6.1. I majored in science education in college with a minor in biology. I had several classes that gave me a great appreciation for the outdoors, and the environment. Physical geology, historical geology, oceanography, zoology, botany, and biogeography.
