I am honored to join the Oroville School District as the new Junior/Senior High School Principal. I earned my bachelor's degree in Earth Science Education from Eastern Washington University with a full science endorsement package before continuing my education at Grand Canyon University, where I earned my master's degree in Educational Administration and principal certification.
My career in education began in Curlew, Washington, where I taught science and math. It was there that my two oldest daughters were born, and today they are both pursuing their own educational journeys at the University of Idaho and the University of Montana. Watching them grow into the young women they are today has been one of my greatest joys.
Our family's next adventure took us to Alaska, where I spent nearly a decade teaching science in the Mat-Su School District. During that time, I was honored to receive the British Petroleum Teacher of the Year Award. I also coached track and field, something that has always been close to my heart. Many of my favorite memories in education came after the final bell, watching students discover confidence, perseverance, and success through athletics.
After my years in the classroom, I had the opportunity to work on Alaska's North Slope with ConocoPhillips and British Petroleum. Living and working above the Arctic Circle was unlike anything I had ever experienced. The endless tundra, incredible wildlife, and dramatic seasons made it one of the most remarkable places I have ever called home. It is a place where the environment demands resilience, teamwork, and preparation every single day. There is a quiet beauty to the North Slope that is difficult to describe until you've experienced it firsthand. Working in that environment strengthened my leadership and management skills, taught me the value of trust and teamwork, and gave me a new appreciation for leading people through challenging situations. As rewarding as that chapter was, it also reminded me that my true passion has always been education and working with students.
When I met my wife, Annah, we blended our families and returned to North Idaho, where I returned to teaching science, coaching track, and continuing my journey in education. Together we are raising five incredible daughters. Our oldest loves sports and is always ready for the next competition, while our two youngest have a wonderful creative side and love expressing themselves through art. Each of our girls has her own unique personality, and watching them grow into confident young women has been one of the greatest joys of our lives.
When I'm not at school, you'll almost always find me with my family enjoying the outdoors. We love hunting, fishing, camping, traveling, and exploring new places together. Photography is another passion of mine, and you'll usually find a Canon camera in my hands whenever we're out making memories. I especially enjoy photographing wildlife, landscapes, and the places our adventures take us.
I believe the foundation of every great school is built on relationships, trust, and high expectations. I am excited to become part of the Oroville community and look forward to partnering with our students, staff, families, and community members as we continue building on the strong traditions that make Oroville such a special place. I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve this community and can't wait to get started.