Education:

BA Sociology – University of Illinois

MSW – University of Illinois

MA- Criminology [Juvenile Corrections focus] - University of Toronto

Doctoral studies work in Social Work

I have been a practicing social worker for over 35 years. Even prior to obtaining my social work degree I worked in a variety of youth serving agencies, including scouting, day camp and overnight camp, and community centers. Since graduation, I have worked in a variety of settings, including youth, behavioral health (mental health and substance abuse), juvenile corrections, managed care (insurance), and seniors. Currently, I am a social worker for the San Bernardino County Department of Children’s Services working out of the Barstow office.

I have a rich background teaching at the Community College and Undergraduate levels, having come back to teaching after a hiatus of 10 years. Much of my teaching has focused on providing skills courses for Child Care Workers, Juvenile and Adult Correctional Officers, Police Officers, and Social Workers (BSW).

As a social worker I have had the opportunity to integrate many different disciplines and bodies of knowledge into an applied practice model. I will do my utmost, as the instructor for this class, to share this knowledge in a manner that is both interesting and challenging.

I still consider myself a new "transplant" to California and the High Desert, moving here in April of 2001. I grew up in Chicago, lived for many years in Canada (Toronto and area), and for a few years in Indiana and Ohio. Although I have lived most of my life in large urban centers, I have also lived in a very small town and a very rural area, so the High Desert is not a total culture shock, although the differences in the vegetation here versus the Midwest, does take some "getting used to" As my wife and I have moved so far from our family, we continuously struggle to keep in contact with our families (parents, children, and grandchildren) back in the Midwest and Canada.

Learning is a life long pursuit. From birth onward we engage in the process of learning about ourselves, our family and loved ones, and the world around us. As we begin this journey we first must depend upon our primary nurturers. As we begin to develop our skills to learn from our environment we slowly add to this learning process.

Over time we formulate a concept of self, our "view of the world," and a set of norms, values, and ethics.

Your challenge, as a student, is to actively pursue knowledge, to reflect on what you currently believe, and to modify what you currently favor based upon your study, reflection, and interaction with others in their own pursuit. As an adult learner, it is you who must take responsibility for the process. As the instructor I am responsible for providing you with the opportunity to challenge yourself, your currently held beliefs, values, and ideas. Further, I am responsible for providing you with the opportunities to work with other students in an atmosphere which is conducive to growth and development. To this end, the course syllabus, reading assignments, course lectures, and assignments must stimulate this learning process. Ultimately, however, as the adult learner, it is your responsibility to take charge of this process. Life is a matter of choices. You have chosen to take this course. To be successful, you must also choose to succeed. My task is to present the material in a challenging and interesting manner to stimulate your interest and to motivate you to succeed. I will do my best, but ultimately, the choice is yours.