I live on Holland’s northside with my wife of 33 years, Katy. We have three adult children: sons Alex (married to Sara), Patrick, and daughter Annie (married to Tim). I could go on and on, but will simply say we have been blessed beyond measure! Teaching is my calling! My passions over the span of the last 30 years plus, include the nurturing of children and the outdoors. I have experience in middle school and lower elementary special education, while completing the last 22 years teaching 4th grade in West Ottawa Public Schools at Lakewood Elementary. My outdoor pursuits include canoeing/voyaging over 30 of Michigan’s rivers, five trips to Isle Royale National Park, hiking, swimming, a recent mission trip to Alaska and quite honestly being outside as much as possible. However, my greatest pursuit is fly fishing. To me nothing beats chasing steelhead, salmon and smallmouth bass with handmade flies on Michigan’s beautiful rivers!