*Little known fact: I was born on the island of Guam. My parents were teachers there, yet within no more than 9 months, Montana became my home.
* Grew up in Cut Bank, Montana, graduated in 1991, and participated in many extra-curricular and community activities.
* Went to college at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota where I studied (vocal) Music and was a member of the various choirs there (more notably I was privileged to be a member of the '93-'94 Concert Choir under the leadership and direction of Dr. Rene Clausen)
* Spent several years working as a Youth Ministry Director, Camp Counselor, and Adult Mentor/Supervisor here in Montana and in Washington
* Began my teaching career in Montana in 2007, having graduated from the University of Montana - Western in Dillon, Montana
* Completed a Master's of Education in Curriculum and Instruction in 2013 (from the University of Montana - Missoula, Go Griz!)
* Began as Title I Coordinator here in Sidney in the 2015-16 school year
* Have moved to the position of Alternative Education Teacher and Coordinator under the supervision of the High School Admin and RtI Team
* Have also been learning the Norwegian language and taking a lot of time researching my family's ancestry back into Norway and Denmark
* In the past few months, I have become the "go to" on our new online platform, Acellus Learning System, which was brought to the district to primarily offer opportunity and access to students in the high school for credit recovery and HS graduation
* I have also been working diligently, when possible, to gain the adequate knowledge to one day try to earn a Microsoft Certificate as a Specialist or even as an Expert in the use of Microsoft Excel
*** it's the little things, right... as well, it never hurts to have a desire to learn something new.
* Married to my wife, Marla, since 2009 - she is also a teacher, lived in Italy as a little girl, then Michigan, southeastern Wisconsin, going to college in Indiana (Grace College) before moving to Montana. Currently, Marla is the primary teacher at Brorson Elementary located just northwest of Sidney. She is excited to get back into the classroom this year after a great 1st year back teaching after having stayed home to be "mamma-everything" for about ten years.
* My mother lives in Missoula, Montana (in Hellgate Canyon). My father has retired and chosen to be around me and my family here in Sidney. And, finally, my brother and his family live in Castlerock, a community just south of Denver, Colorado where he and his wife have high level positions as an engineer in a high-speed tech communications company.
* My in-laws now live in Virginia after having lived in Union Grove, Wisconsin for a couple decades. And, finally, my wife's two younger brothers also live outside of Wisconsin; one in Bedford, Virginia and the other lives in rural Northeast Oklahoma.
My family and I feel privileged to be a part of the Sidney community. Over the past nine years, I have worked in the role of Title I Coordinator and then now in the position of Alternative Education Supervising Teacher. And, in this position as Alt Ed Supervising Teacher, this will be my fifth year. Our HS Alternative Education, off-site, setting provides opportunities for students to graduate. There is an extensive process for a student to be placed in this setting with several staff and administrators collaborating to make that determination and ensure it is the most appropriate decision for the district, school and student.I am commited to bring my many experiences, my educational training and background, and my heart to this HS Alt Ed position and, of course, to the students and staff I work with.
* Married to my wife, Marla, since 2009 - she is also a teacher, lived in Italy as a little girl, then Michigan, southeastern Wisconsin, going to college in Indiana (Grace College) before moving to Montana. Currently, Marla is the primary teacher at Brorson Elementary located just northwest of Sidney. She is excited to get back into the classroom this year after a great 1st year back teaching after having stayed home to be "mamma-everything" for about ten years.* We are blessed to have two children: