Teaching Website
This site serves as a central hub for my teaching resources, housing links to my teacher blog, class syllabi, and general contact information. It features dedicated sections for each technology class I currently teach, along with materials from my past Math and English classes. Sixth and seventh-grade students can access tools like Typing.com, Google Applied Digital Skills, Canva, and BenSound, while eighth graders can explore our classroom textbook, How to Shoot Video That Doesn’t Suck by Steve Stockman, and stream past episodes of our school news program, What’s Up, UMS? (WUUMS). There’s even an example creative portfolio page to inspire students to create their own digital spaces to showcase their work.
Designed with a casual and engaging tone, this site reflects my passion for organization and resourcefulness. Originally built over 10 years ago, it has grown into a dynamic collection of tools and materials that evolves with each school year, serving students, parents, and colleagues alike. Whether you’re a current student or a curious administrator, this site is a testament to my commitment to preparation, planning, organization, and adaptability.
Coaching Website
This site serves as a comprehensive platform for my tennis teams, housing essential materials for practices, matches, and overall player development. Initially created to streamline the sharing of tennis-related resources with my players, it has evolved into a robust collection of tools. The site includes team-focused documents such as Core Team Values, a Technical/Tactical Skills List, and a Competitive Matrix—all developed during my enrollment in KIN-168: Theories and Principles of Coaching at Parkland College.
Visitors can also explore links, photos, and descriptions of my coaching influences, including Jon Gordon, Steven Covey, and John Wooden, as well as media presentations on topics such as Coaching for Life by Paul Annacone (former coach of Pete Sampras and Roger Federer). Other presentations include coaching insights from the television show Ted Lasso and a profile of trailblazing transgender athlete Renée Richards.
Designed for players, parents, and coaches, the site also features a dynamic Google Calendar displaying team practices, matches, and events, along with photos I’ve taken of my players and our home courts at Blair Park in Urbana, IL. Every visual element—from background images to filler photos—was thoughtfully crafted to reflect our team’s identity.
With a slightly more formal tone, this site highlights my dedication to supporting players both on and off the court. It embodies my coaching philosophy: to go above and beyond, providing players with the tools, knowledge, and encouragement they need to grow and succeed. Whether you’re an athlete, parent, or fellow coach, this site reflects my commitment to excellence and a passion for the game.
Creative Media Class, Example Portfolio Website
This site serves as a demonstration of what a “full website” can look like by the end of the semester, showcasing projects and content students create in my Creative Media class. Designed specifically for seventh graders in my technology classes, this portfolio is a roadmap and source of inspiration for students to explore and display their growing skills in photography, podcasting, enrichment projects, and more.
The site includes examples of my own creative work, such as personal photography from some of my favorite places (Montrose Beach in Chicago and Meadowbrook Park in Urbana), green screen photo edits, podcast episodes, and digital slideshows. Each page is crafted to highlight the projects students will tackle in class, complete with informative descriptions, simple navigation, and redundancy to ensure easy usability. There’s also a touch of whimsy, with silly photos of me and lighthearted content that reflects the fun, approachable tone of my teaching style.
For many students, this is their first experience designing a multi-page website. I play a major coaching role, guiding them through the process of creating links, organizing content, and adding personal touches to make their portfolios uniquely theirs.
Whether you’re a student looking for inspiration, a parent curious about what we’re creating in class, or a colleague or employer interested in my teaching methods, this site reflects my passion for crafting educational experiences that are creative, engaging, and more than a bit nerdy ;)
Digital Photography Portfolio Overview
This portfolio showcases a diverse range of photography assignments completed during my Digital Photography class at Parkland College in the summer of 2020. Each assignment pushed me to explore new techniques and perspectives, from capturing intimate details of everyday objects to creating dynamic compositions that play with light, shadow, and texture. Across the portfolio, you’ll find images that blend technical precision with creative exploration, reflecting my growth as a photographer during this course.
A personal highlight from the collection is the Sense of Place assignment, where I documented the SipYard, a public alley in Urbana, IL, known for its vibrant graffiti and artistic energy. Over the course of 24 hours, I returned to the site at different times of the day to capture how lighting and atmosphere transformed the space. The series includes a mix of wide shots showcasing the alley’s character and close-ups that emphasize its intricate details. I even added my own graffiti to the site, capturing a playful moment with a posed self-portrait. This assignment challenged me to think deeply about storytelling through imagery and the evolving nature of a familiar location.