About John

I am a longtime educator with 34 years of experience working with children from Pre-K through eighth grade, primarily kindergarten and first grade. Working with children has always been the center of my life, and I genuinely enjoy getting to know each child's personality, interests, and unique way of learning. Children tend to connect with me very naturally because I'm calm, patient, playful, and highly engaged with them. I love creating active, hands-on experiences for kids rather than relying on screens or television. I enjoy outdoor adventures, nature walks, fishing, games, creative projects, animals, and imaginative play. I'm excellent at balancing supervision and safety while still encouraging children to explore, build confidence, and become independent. I started working with kids at 14 as a lifeguard and swim instructor before becoming a teacher. My greatest strengths are patience, relationship-building, creativity, and helping children feel safe, valued, and understood.