I have been so lucky to be 6-trait trained by two of the best on several occasions: Vicki Spandel and Ruth Culham.
Locally, I've written dozens of grants to create professional develoment workshops, and a large amount of the money I've received from those grants goes to purchase for our participants trait-inspired books by both these ladies. If you're just starting a 6-trait library, you can't go wrong with either of these authors.
Trivial fact: My wife, Dena, and I actually fell in love while attending a Ruth Culham conference in Sun Valley, Idaho.
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My favorite books from childhood were Bertrand R. Brinley's The Mad Scientist's Club adventures. If I could turn back time and meet one author before he died, it would be this man. He turned a reluctant reader into an avid reader. Trivial Fact: I own first editions of the first three books in his series.
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Over the years, I have become good friends with author Barry Lane. Barry writes great books for both teachers and writers, and I use many of these books in my professional development workshops.
Barry always says, "There's not enough fun in education," and I whole-heartedly agree. At all of my workshops, I go above and beyond to make sure everyone is experiencing some degree of fun while they are learning.
Trivial fact: Last time Barry was in our house, he gave us a run for our money playing "1 vs. 100" on our X-Box. |
Every summer, Dena and I re-discover culture by attending the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Before most shows, you can find us eating at the Standing Stone Brewery, where the burgers and beer are fantastic.
Trivial Fact: We especially like to buy chocolate-covered espresso beans at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory before we watch one of the plays outside.
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I never had a chance to thank my favorite teacher, Mr. Borilla, before he passed away.
As a result, I go out of my way to thank my personal mentors, those who helped me become the educator I am today. If you haven't thanked your mentors lately, do it.
The mentors who've shaped me most as a professional:
- Sue Martin
- Carol Harriman
- Karen McGee
- Kay Henjum
- Lynn Sawyer
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If I could, I'd attend a dude ranch all summer long. When I was young, our babysitter always plopped me in front of the TV after school to watch syndicated re-runs of the Mickey Mouse Club. Spin and Marty had it made. I can still sing the Triple R song, can you?
Trivial Fact: Spin & Marty's autographs hang in my home office! Right next to my wife's Madonna autograph.
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