Welcome to Madison High School
Check Your Grades: PowerSchool
About me:
I teach US Government, AP US Government, and a course on The Holocaust and Human Rights at Madison High School. I have also taught US History and a college level US History 112 course through the College of Southern Idaho. I have taught here for 14 years and in the Jefferson School district for 13 years. I am currently one of the Student Council advisors and enjoy helping the students find opportunities to serve in our school. I have also had the opportunity to be a J.K. & Katherine Albertson Foundation Technology Fellow during the 2002-2003 school year. This opportunity allowed me to travel around Idaho helping teachers integrate technology and project-based strategies in their classroom.
I have designed and taught online classes for 15 years. I have taught for the Virtual High School (http://www.govhs.org) and the Idaho Digital Learning Academy (http://idla.blackboard.com), but currently I am teaching as an adjunct-faculty member at BYU-Idaho where I teach sections of their online American Foundations course. I have also taught an American History and an American Government class for the College of Southern Idaho over the Idaho Education Network with students here at Madison, and at other school throughout Idaho. More specific information can be found on my resume.
I earned my Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Boise State University (Go Broncos!) and my family loves to watch the Broncos play football. We do our best to attend at least one game in Boise each year.
Rexburg is my home where I live with my wife Brenda and four children. Our three sons have returned from serving 2 year missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Our oldest served in Hong Kong, our second son served in Cape Verde (10 islands off the west coast of Africa), and our third son served in Jacksonville, Florida. We also have a wonderful daughter who is attending BYU-Idaho. Our family enjoys spending time at our family cabin in Island Park were we enjoy nature and relax. My children are also involved in many sporting and community activities so we keep very busy, but we love our life and enjoy living here in Rexburg.
I have designed and taught online classes for 15 years. I have taught for the Virtual High School (http://www.govhs.org) and the Idaho Digital Learning Academy (http://idla.blackboard.com), but currently I am teaching as an adjunct-faculty member at BYU-Idaho where I teach sections of their online American Foundations course. I have also taught an American History and an American Government class for the College of Southern Idaho over the Idaho Education Network with students here at Madison, and at other school throughout Idaho. More specific information can be found on my resume.
I earned my Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from Boise State University (Go Broncos!) and my family loves to watch the Broncos play football. We do our best to attend at least one game in Boise each year.
Rexburg is my home where I live with my wife Brenda and four children. Our three sons have returned from serving 2 year missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Our oldest served in Hong Kong, our second son served in Cape Verde (10 islands off the west coast of Africa), and our third son served in Jacksonville, Florida. We also have a wonderful daughter who is attending BYU-Idaho. Our family enjoys spending time at our family cabin in Island Park were we enjoy nature and relax. My children are also involved in many sporting and community activities so we keep very busy, but we love our life and enjoy living here in Rexburg.
Educational philosophy:
I believe that the most important things I can teach a student are how to learn and how to think critically. Specific facts are important as a foundation, but what is ultimately of more worth is what a person can do with what they know. I love project-based education and giving the students an opportunity to show what they can do.
In the end, I know that it is impossible to get students to know all the things that we would like them to know about Social Studies in our short time with them at Madison High School. However, what we can do is to lay a foundation of knowledge and create an enjoyment of learning about Social Studies that can last a lifetime. Students can then continue their education in the Social Studies throughout their lives regardless of their chosen profession. This is essential in a democracy – having active, concerned, informed citizens.
As a Social Studies teacher I am committed to these ideals.
In the end, I know that it is impossible to get students to know all the things that we would like them to know about Social Studies in our short time with them at Madison High School. However, what we can do is to lay a foundation of knowledge and create an enjoyment of learning about Social Studies that can last a lifetime. Students can then continue their education in the Social Studies throughout their lives regardless of their chosen profession. This is essential in a democracy – having active, concerned, informed citizens.
As a Social Studies teacher I am committed to these ideals.