"For the past fifteen years I have worked with and among the students at Butte Community College and Chico State, teaching graphic design and multimedia using the Adobe software suite and other tools.

My students have ranged in age from 11 to 74 and represent many races and nationalities. These students have diverse educational desires and needs. Many students come to advance a hobby. Some come to receive a specific certification or training. Others attend to get a degree and still others are coming back to school to change or advance their careers.

Institutions of higher learning are meant to lift people, to help them acquire skills and knowledge, to help them be successful. As a teacher, I am proud to be part of this helping legacy. I am not simply a content area expert.

The heart of my philosophy comes down to helping individual students learn about and focus on their aptitudes and interests. Self-knowledge conserves limited resources by channeling energy toward correct pursuits. I implement this philosophy by meeting with students in groups and one on one to discuss their interests and to feedback to them on their performance. I observe the students and take note of their strengths and weaknesses. Lastly, I take an interest in knowing the school and its programs and thereby enable myself to help students avail themselves of all the resources a college experience can offer.

As a teacher I am a source of expert knowledge within my discipline but more importantly I strive to serve as a caring guide and mentor." less...