SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
Steve attended Iowa State University and graduated with Honors while earning a BS in Physics, a minor in Philosophy and Teaching Endorsements in Chemistry and Physics. As the culmination of his teacher training at ISU Steve student taught on the South Island of New Zealand. While at ISU Steve was actively involved with the Mountaineering and Climbing Club and the Outdoor Recreation Program which cultivated the passions that compelled him to leave the plains of the Midwest in favor of the vast expanses of Southwest Colorado. Since 2006 he has taught science and math in several Western Colorado communities. He and his wife have been in Durango since 2009 and consider it their home.  Steve completed a Master of Science in Astronomy in 2014 from the Swinburne University of Technology.
Steve is thrilled to be working as the Chemistry and Astronomy teacher for Animas High School. He finds great joy in sharing his curiosity and passion for learning about our world through the lens of science with his students. He loves learning alongside them and believes Animas’ project-based model allows students to find relevancy in their work, think more deeply about ideas and to create more holistic understandings of science and society. When not in the classroom, reading or planning for class Steve is likely to be found spending time with his family or enjoying the pursuits that first drew him west including rock climbing, mountain biking and Nordic skiing.