Faculty Focus is a campaign that highlights the powerhouse of St. Pius X High School: our incredible Faculty! These men and women work hard every day to make sure our students are well-served — through the student experience to graduation and beyond. Faculty Focus is their time to shine! This year we will be highlighting "A Look Inside the Classroom".
Throughout the year we will feature our faculty members, who will share their experiences, philosophies, and a peek inside their classroom. Be sure to check back often to view the highlighted Faculty member.
St. Pius X alumni? No
Years teaching/Years teaching at St. Pius X: 26 Years, First year at St. Pius X
Department: Wellness
Coaching or club sponsorship roles: Football
Degree(s)/Degree-granting institution: BS in Kinesiology, MA in Education, MS in Sport Management all from Missouri Baptist University
Academic area: Kinesiology, Education and Sport Management
When did you decide to become a teacher, and why did you choose this field? I decided to become a teacher when I was in high school because I worked baseball summer camps and had little kids. I got to teach them the game of baseball and all the fundamentals. I chose this field because I had a teacher/coach who invested in me and made me feel a worth I had never experienced before. I want to challenge students to want more and not accept mediocrity.
What personal strengths do you find especially helpful in your teaching? I am a people person and I pride myself on being positive and physically fit. I believe in the content that I teach, but truly believe teaching is about relationships. When kids see that you care and are willing to adapt a specific movement to them, it increases their buy in.
What do you like most about teaching as a career? The kids! I really look forward to interacting with students on a daily basis.
What is the greatest success you have had teaching? There are so many! I really enjoy hearing from past students and catching up with them
What is your philosophy of education? My philosophy is that all students can benefit from physical fitness and patience. Wellness class has a delayed gratification component where students do not see results right away. They have to be invested in what they are doing and trust that the results will come. Once they start to see the “gains” and notice their investment is paying off, it increases their commitment to physical activity.
What is your favorite thing about working at St. Pius X? It is vibing with great energy!!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? Life is like a game of basketball, if you don’t have a goal, what are you shooting for?
Outside of work, what are you passionate about? My wife Erin, my daughter Breanna, my dogs (Buddy, Presley, and Duchess) and cats (Fritzee, Lucy, and Nemo), exercise and golf
What did you want to be when you were growing up? A professional baseball player
