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One of my earliest memories is of my mother teaching me phonics from a little book entitled An Acorn In My Hand. We still have that book. My mother began teaching me to read at home but when I was of age my parents enrolled me in kindergarten at Bellevue Christian School . After I had completed third grade at BCS, my parents announced their intention to teach me and my older brother at home.
I completed my formal home-schooling more-or-less at the end of the ninth grade. I then spent the next two years pursuing my particular interests; mostly on my own and mostly through reading. My father put me to work at this time as an apprentice in a sheet-metal fabrication shop. There I worked with Barna Ari, a mechanical engineer who had defected from communist Hungary . Barna was a wonderful craftsman and a patient teacher.
My richest experience as a homeschooler was as a student at Quest Northwest, an environmental science school for homeschooled kids. I was taught by a delightful man named Miles Hanchett. Miles was a scientist and outdoorsman. Miles taught science and much more—mostly in the outdoors. “Classes” often involved donning rain gear and a pair of chest waders. I absolutely loved it. Miles inspired me with a love for the study of God’s Creation and modeled many characteristics of a great teacher.
After what would have been the eleventh grade, I started college. A year or two later I began working as a volunteer mentor in the Bellevue School District . I worked with at-risk boys in fourth through sixth grades. A short time later I began working for the YMCA as a youth recreation leader. These experiences awakened an interest in teaching.
Though I attended college for a time with the thought of becoming a teacher, I opted for a career in private security. My training took me to such places as the Executive Protection Institute in Berryville , Virginia , and the Police Sciences School at Hocking College in Nelsonville , Ohio . I attended schools around the country where I trained in various aspects of close protection. I studied interviewing and interrogation and principles of investigation. Eventually I obtained a certificate in Security Administration from City University .
About five years ago, I had the opportunity to try my hand in the classroom, and I leapt at it. I taught Bible, mathematics, science, and rhetoric at Providence Classical Christian School in Lynnwood, W A . I have never been more richly rewarded. I have grown personally and spiritually and I have developed wonderful relationships with many of my students and their families.
Over the last four years I have audited courses on the Scriptures, theology, and church history at Northwest Theological Seminary. I am working towards my BA in humanities and am excited about how this education will strengthen me as a teacher.
Six years ago, I met my wife, Marijo, and we now have three beautiful girls: Abigail (5), Marika (3) and Beatrix (1). Marijo and I are members of Emmanuel Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Kent, Washington. |