Professional

About Kyle

I have recently returned to Washington to begin my MAT at Seattle Pacific University and become a certified secondary social studies and history teacher. My wife and I lived in Washington DC for the past 8 years where I was the Technology, Media and Journalism teacher as well as the Director of Portfolio curriculum and implementation at Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School. Currently, I work as tutor with the 9th-grade academic support team at Cleveland High School.

Interest and Experience in Education

It was my college experience at Pacific Lutheran University (04-08) learning about media criticism and political philosophy, as well as studying abroad (South Africa, Dubai, Norway) that sparked my interest in education - especially working with under-served communities. As my critical awareness of mass media influences on commerce and politics heightened, I became acutely sensitive to the uninformed and blissfully ignorant people that America produces en masse. The kinds of cultural criticism and personal awakening I experienced, as a privileged white male in college, should not be reserved to only those fortunate enough to attend college. I knew that education (both as a classroom teacher and one day as an administrator and/or policy leader) would be my vocation - where my heart's desire meets the world's great need. For the past 8 years, I have worked at Thurgood Marshall Academy a public, charter school in southeast DC's Anacostia neighborhood. This community, the students and incredible staff and faculty, have indelibly shaped my philosophy and commitment to working in education. My passion is social studies – with a focus on history and journalism and media. My strengths as a classroom teacher include Socratic Seminar and Thinking Routines about challenging and controversial issues that matter and are often ignored by the news and popular culture. I look forward to SPU helping me to enhance my knowledge and practice to further my commitment to this challenging and rewarding work.