I was born and raised in the St. Louis area. I graduated from McCluer North High school in 1986, and from UMSL in 2003 with a BS in Education (social studies). I received my TESOL certification in 2010 from Southeast Missouri State. I began teaching in the district in 2007 as an English Langauge Learner teacher.

My wife and I were married in 1998 and we have three daughters. I and my family love to travel. Reading and cooking are my primary hobbies.