Central Kitsap Middle School

       This coming year will be my 23rd at Central Kitsap ... formerly Junior High, now Middle School. I came to then CKJH from North Kitsap's Suquamish Elementary, and found a student population here that I love to work and play with. CKMS students are quirky, cool, fun, shy, and awesome to watch grow. Along with getting to guide and counsel our students, I also have the privilege to coach them in Cross Country and Track and Field.
I graduated with a BA in Psychology from Pacific Lutheran University, and after some years of working and getting married (my wife Johanna and I are going on 37 years of marriage) I spent 2 years in the Peace Corps in the country of Belize. I then attended University of Washington where I got my Masters in Education and an ESA in School Counseling.
I love to run, hike, golf, snow ski, and generally be outdoors. Since meeting my wife, we have also enjoyed traveling, and she has gifted me with a basic ability to speak Spanish and German. I have a 24 year old son, Kai, who is currently a winter Ski Instructor, and a summer Wildland Firefighter, and a 20 year old daughter, Sofia, who is enrolled in Eastern Washington University. Both attended CKMS as students.
I'm excited to be a part of your student’s education, and hope to partner with you to make their CKMS experience an amazing one.

I grew up in the beautiful community of Lake Joy in Carnation, Washington. I received my undergraduate degree in Psychology and Sociology from Santa Clara University with an emphasis in Drug and Alcohol Prevention among youth. After graduation, I volunteered with students at different age levels while working in the private sector until I began my studies at Seattle Pacific University, where I received my Master of Education in School Counseling. Before joining Central Kitsap Middle School in 2016, I worked in both the Tukwila and Bremerton school districts. I came to CKMS the same year CKMS welcomed 6th graders for the first time completing it's transition to a proper middle school. I've been loving life with super cool, squirrelly middle schoolers ever since! I have a passion for finding a child's natural strengths and gifts and allowing those assets to help us navigate the areas of life where we need additional help. I spend most of my time outside of CKMS doing trivia, hiking, crossword puzzling, hosting weekly spaghetti dinners, walking my dog (Goon), and loving life with my husband and baby girl, Joy, at our home in Bremerton. I love middle schoolers and will jump at any opportunity to dress up, dance around, and try to out-dork these awesome kids!

Originally from Chicago, I earned my BA and teaching credentials from North Central College in Naperville, IL.  In my forty-three years in education, I have taught kindergarten and all  grades between  7 – 12.   I have been the director of two Navy Child Development Centers, and I have been the CKMS counseling secretary for 20 years. Married for almost 43 years to a now-retired NCIS agent, we have lived in Michigan, Rhode Island, Louisiana, Washington (twice!), Guam and London.  We are the proud parents of two remarkable young women, and the doting grandparents to four amazing grandchildren.

          I grew up in Port Orchard, Washington, graduating from South Kitsap High School then moving to Western Washington University where I graduated with a BA in Human Services. At Western, I have worked with people experiencing homelessness, promoting mental health for college students, and doing youth suicide prevention work in middle and high schools. Now I am in my third and final year at Seattle Pacific University to earn my Master of Education in School Counseling!

Outside of school and work I like to go on walks and hikes with my dog, Johnny, take fun trips with my younger sister anywhere from Portland to Dublin, and cheer on the Sounders, Seahawks, and Mariners!

          I am excited to be a part of CKMS this year and look forward to working with all of you this year!