Friday, May 4, 2012  (Today is May 4^th, or Star Wars Day, because of, "May the fourth be with you.") 

 

Today we compared and ordered integers.  Students should complete the pages 11/12 front/back review sheet of the content.

 

Mr. Hildebrand

770-254-2840, ext. 269

I grew up in New Port Richey, Florida wearing leg braces for an unusual physical handicap called Legg-Calvé-Perthes.  I was born in the late 1960s, a time when educational modifications for special needs were seldom suggested, much less implemented.  While labeled gifted at an early age, I became apathetic and graduated high school with little or no direction in life.  I went to junior college while working various jobs-server in a restaurant, lawn care, etc., but it was not the life for me.  After serving in the United States Marine Corps from 1991-1995 and traveling to multiple countries, I returned home to complete my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education at the University of South Florida. 

 

I taught gifted, special, and regular education students in Tampa for five years before my wife and I relocated to Newnan nine years ago.  I worked for three years with Fulton County Schools teaching math, science, and social studies before coming to Smokey Road Middle School in 2005.  I appreciate the variety of instruction that Smokey Road provides and I teach all levels of mathematics as well as coach the academic bowl team.  My wife is also a Coweta County educator and we enjoy living locally and spend our off-campus time hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking. I am also an avid runner and have competed at various distances from three miles to triathlons to the half-marathon.  I enjoy sharing this experience and assisting with Smokey Road's mile runners and the Newnan High cross country team. 

 

Despite the sense of humor and enthusiasm that I incorporate into my daily lessons, I attempt to remain extremely professional about my chosen career.  When I tell people that I teach middle school math they often look at me with shocked horror and respond, "Why?  I could never do that!" I agree that working with middle school students is often high-stress, it commands attention to detail, and challenges even the most energetic person's cheerfulness.  I explain to all of my students and their parents that I enjoy working in the middle school setting because it is often the last chance educators have to make a significant difference in a student's life.  I hope that this sentiment toward my profession is reflected in the actions I take with my coworkers and students.

 

Education:
Doctoral Candidate, ABD, Instructional Leadership, Nova Southeastern University, 2008 - present
Master of Science, Educational Leadership, Nova Southeastern University, 2001
Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education, University of South Florida, 1997
Associate in Arts, St. Petersburg Junior College , 1990

 

Professional Experience:
Smokey Road Middle School, Newnan, GA, 2005 - present
E.C. West Elementary, Fairburn, GA, 2002-2005
Orange Grove Middle Magnet School of Performing Arts, Tampa, FL, 1998-2002
Lewis Elementary School, Temple Terrace, FL, 1997-1998

 

Professional Awards and Recognitions:

Award Winner, Barnes & Noble Influential Teacher, 2011

Member of Georgia's K-12 Mathematics Advisory Council, 2010

Evaluator, Georgia State Teacher of the Year, 2010

Member of the Georgia Department of Education Drop-out Prevention Task Force, 2009

Chosen to represent Georgia at NASA's International Space Camp for Educators, 2009

Traveling Judge, Georgia State Teacher of the Year, 2009

Member of Georgia's State Superintendent's Teacher Advisory Council, 2008-2009

Top-ten finalist, Georgia State Teacher of the Year, 2008

Coweta County School System Teacher of the Year, 2007-2008

Smokey Road Middle School Teacher of the Year, 2006-2007

E.C. West Elementary Teacher of the Year, 2003-2004