I received both my graduate and undergraduate degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. I have an M.B.A and Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Technology. I am also a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA AAMA) and CPR/AED/First Aid instructor. For over fifteen years I have instructed students in subjects to include medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, clinical and administrative procedures and pharmacology. I was a part of a task force that created test questions for the Certified Medical Assisting examination so I am familiar with the formatting used on standardized tests. During my tenure in a "big city" proprietary school I put my M.B.A. to use teaching courses in economics, sociology, and business communications. The students I have instructed ranged from those that were home schooled, GED recipients, attendees of traditional brick and mortar schools, and non-traditional adult students. Before this I worked at a top 10 hospital in the pathology department. I assisted with the processing of anatomical and surgical specimens. When I say anatomical specimens, I mean autopsies. Because of this, I have an extensive and firsthand knowledge of anatomy.
I was recently asked to put my teaching philosophy into words and this is what I wrote:
"No should ever leave my classroom feeling that they didn't learn anything, their time was wasted, or they didn't get their money's worth. In order to accomplish this, I will be organized, prepared and demonstrate competence in the subjects I teach, every day. To help students develop I will adapt lesson plans to their different learning styles and use lecture, audiovisual, and hands-on demonstrations to meet each student' needs."
When I am not teaching I like to watch NCIS, Forensic Files, and Doctor Who (although I miss David Tennant and Matt Smith). I am waiting for The Walking Dead to return so my sons and I can take turns trying to scare each other when we walk the dog after watching an episode. Fires in the backyard and family game night round out my extracurricular activities.