Philosophy of Education
Educator Emilio Estrada once said, “If children cannot learn the way we teach, then we must teach the way that they learn.” That idea became deeply personal for me in 2011, when my son—diagnosed with Level 1 ASD—struggled through Grade 9. During an IEP meeting, after we outlined his learning needs, one of his teachers asked, “What am I supposed to do about it?” That moment stayed with me. When I began my own teaching career, I made a commitment to be the kind of educator who adapts instruction to meet students where they are, rather than expecting them to conform to a single model of learning.
My approach to teaching is grounded in differentiation, scaffolding, and inclusive design. I draw on principles such as Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and structured instructional frameworks to ensure that all students—particularly those with diverse learning profiles and language backgrounds—can access, engage with, and succeed in rigorous academic content. I believe that effective teaching is not about lowering expectations, but about providing multiple pathways for students to meet high standards.
At the heart of my classroom is relationship building. Students are far more likely to take intellectual risks, engage in critical thinking, and persist through challenges when they feel known and supported. My role is not only to teach content, but to create an environment where students feel safe, respected, and motivated to learn.
I emphasize both academic growth and character development. While my students develop skills in writing, analysis, and argumentation, they also learn the importance of empathy, collaboration, and integrity. I maintain a small set of clear classroom expectations, with one principle guiding them all—one my students know by heart:
“Always be kind. It’s important.”
This philosophy grew out of my own winding path as a learner…
Lifelong Learner
It feels like yesterday that I walked, wide-eyed, into Ms. Hudson’s kindergarten classroom at Southside Elementary School in Piedmont, Alabama. The son of blue-collar textile workers, my Gen X upbringing reflected the “latchkey” experiences common to many in my generation. With the help of Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, I entered school already reading at a third-grade level—an early sign of what would become a lifelong commitment to learning.
After graduating high school in 1991, I attended Jacksonville State University for two years before circumstances led me to pause my formal education. I spent the next decade in the business world, eventually rising to the role of senior area manager with a Fortune 300 company. However, I felt called to return to academia, a decision that reshaped the trajectory of my life.
Over the following six years, I completed a degree in Bible (Literature) and a Master’s in Theology with a concentration in Philosophy, graduating in 2010. In 2012, my wife and I moved to Taiwan to begin our careers in education. I later earned a Master’s in Education in 2022 and began work toward an MBA. I have since paused my MBA to complete an additional 24 credit hours in Education in order to obtain state teaching certification, with plans to resume and complete the MBA in 2027.
I believe deeply that knowledge is power, and I strive to instill that same passion for learning in my students. Life can be a tempestuous ocean—but knowledge is the raft, and books are the oars that carry us forward.
About Me
I love to travel. Each country and culture offers something new and spectacular to discover, from the aboriginal cultural village at Sun-Moon Lake in Taiwan, to the Egg Coffee of Hanoi and the rice farms in the Mekong River Delta, the experience of humanity is beautiful.
I often take trips to Thailand, and I have spent five years living in Jakarta, Indonesia – the Big Durian. Traveling is an opportunity to meet friends you didn’t know you had. I have stood beside my friends as they lit incense in Buddhist temples in the back alleys of Taipei, broken the Ramadan fast with my Muslim friends, and discussed theology with atheist friends over drinks in a Chonburi pub. Showing love and kindness is a choice that transcends context.
My wife Cynthia and I have been married for over 30 years. We have one son, a love of science fiction, fantasy, and cats — both our fur-babies, and the musical.
I am a foodie and people tell me that I am a great cook. I have a tradition I have kept at each stop — cooking an American Thanksgiving dinner for friends and colleagues.
I also love to fish – it often goes along with my travels. I am always excited to see where the next opportunity to drop a line will be.