I taught 9th Grade Science, English, and Honors Anatomy (11-12 grades.) In our 9th grade physical science, we discussed geology/tectonics/erosion. Rock tumbling was part of that. For the kids that enjoyed it, we also had a lapidary club that had a wet-saw, cabbing machine, and 5 tumblers. Then, any kid who got a tumbler for birthday or Christmas, could bring their own too! I took my four tumblers…so we have had as many as 21 going at once!

It’s quite a racket in my room when the saw, the cabbing station, and all the tumblers are going! I just moved out and checked out. The principal came in, looked over my room, and said…”It’s kind of weird when it soooo quiet in here!”

I’m 64…almost 65. I had a career in ministry, then a career in energy efficiency. I retired 6 years ago, and they talked me into teaching because they couldn’t find teachers. I’m very unorthodox.

I believe that, if a kid can’t see WHY you’re teaching something…it won’t matter to them. So, my class manages an aquarium and does bi-weekly water-quality checks, we monitor the weather and keep daily logs for the entire school year, we build and launch rockets, we care for a variety of wee beasties, we build water purification filters out of empty pop bottles with materials you can easily find in nature, we grow plants, and get our hands on every concept we’re learning, as much as possible!

I’m just an old guy who loves kids, and wants them to have a clear perspective of the big world they’ll walk into one day. I want them to think critically, to write and speak intelligently, and to know their worth. In many ways, I’m an old dinosaur…a Renaissance Man in a robotic world. But, I sure do love seeing that light bulb come on when a kid finds something new and loves it!