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Member Since:
Jul 8, 2008
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Last Login:
May 22, 2013
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Profile Views:
11554
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Points:
1422
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Birthday: Jan 29, 1963
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Occupation: Teacher and Coach
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USCF Rating 1423
"Those who complain the most about public education... rarely do anything about it." Anonymous
I teach reading at the 6th 7th and 8th grade level. For the 2009-2010 school year I was selected as the teacher of the year for my school. I was extremely honored. There are many deserving talented dedicated teachers at my school who are much deserving and to be considered among them was indeed an honor.
I am also the proud coach of a middle school chess team that, for the first time in school history, won the county chess championship (out of 23 middle schools including 10 academy schools) in 2009. The next year 2010, we did it again, going undefeated in the four monthly team tournaments. In 2011, the team has posted three perfect 16-0 tournaments out of the four (This has never been done in any division since Polk Scholastic Chess began in 1989) and defended the county title for a second straight year. The team went on to defend the title for a third straight time (2012) making it 4 years in a row as County Chess Champions. Many of these students come from at risk backgrounds (nearly 79% poverty rate) and deserve a lot of credit beating the "rich" kids. I am so proud of them. A side from chess, I'm into mountain biking, raquetball, coin collecting, NBA, NFL and college football and being with my lovely wife and family.
My beautiful wife (photo of her at bottom of page) is a heart patient (and miracle, was given 1-3 years to live almost 6 years ago) and is always a light in my life. New update: My wife has recently converted from a 24/7 mobile pump and I.V. (through a surgically placed port in upper chest) to an inhaler version way to take her medicine. Her quality of life has improved greatly because of it. Update May 2011: we went back to the Mayo Clinic to have tests run on my wife. Her numbers have improved meaning that the new medicine is working. Update Feb 2012: Medicine (Tryveso) still is producing good numbers :). Update March 2012: Joy, accompanied by her doctor sister and brother in law, just came back from the Philippines successfully. I believe to my absolute core of my being that God is healing her.
I have to tell somebody...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYwNwTqI-y4
I am also the proud son of a WWII Veteran: William E. M. 1925-1997 (USNavy 1944-1947). He was the hardest working man I have ever known. He taught me how to be a man, a loving husband, father and was a good Christian role model. Miss you dad.
My style would probably range from calculated aggressive to outright miscalculated blunder. I competed in my first rated tournys February and again in March and April (2009). All three were game 30s... ugh! On April 24th 2009.. I placed second in my city's game/25 championship. During July 17-19 of 2009 I tied for first in the United States Class Championships for class "C". January (2010), two of my students and myself competed in the Central Florida Class Championships where one of my students won the under 1200 section "E" out of 23 players going 5-0... way to go! I placed 5th (31/2 pts) in the Under 1600 Class "C" Section out of 20. This past January 2011, members of the team participated in the Florida Class championships. They all did well including one player just missing 1st place in the under 1200 section losing in the last round BD #1) and another player winning with literally one second left on his clock. His opponent had over 40 minutes left on his clock. March 26, 2011 Update: In the Polk Scholastic County Chess Championships, my student players took 1st 2nd 4th and 5th all county out of almost a 100 that qualified for the middle school championship. Recently my tournament chess has suffered :( with my USCF rating plunging to 1423. My favorite players are Fischer and Morphy.
"There is a way that seems right to a man....."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsDCH0Y2aiU
This next song is about God's forgiveness... and having a "holier than thou" attitude (yes, I know the singer- Don Fransisco - looks kinda crazy, but just listen to the words... and the guitar play).
This next video is at the core what I believe in. When asked by friends how am I doing... I sometimes answer, "better than I deserve". I can truelly say I'm saved by grace and what I believe in has made me a better person than I would otherwise be.... but He has a lot of work to do. He is making me.....
(Please forgive the 20 sec. before the song starts)
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=2B19MNNU
And finally one of my most favorite songs of all time..Agnus Dei
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTWFYRA2j74&feature=related
When Im feeling down I listen to HE Reigns by Newsboys. I dare you to read the lyrics and listen to the words...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_io6j1EytGA