John F. Decker email: jdbird@san.rr.com Student teacher at Morse High School (T2ARP Program) B.A. Social Science, SDSU (EdWeb) A.A.S. SUNY at Alfred State College

Background
I grew up in a rural community in Upstate New York. After earning an associates degree in electronic technology from the SUNY at Alfred State College I took a job with a leading energy management company where I worked for the next 13 years. During my employment I traveled to many job sites across the United States and in the mid 80s I even had the opportunity to travel to some job sites in France where I installed and commissioned EMCS software for three separate contracts with IBM France, Ltd. Along with my regular project management and engineering responsibilities, I designed and taught a number of operator training courses for IBM. It was these operator training courses that initially got me interested in teaching as a profession.

In the early 90s I headed back to college to pursue a degree in history and social science. After another tour of duty at the junior college level I eventually transferred to SDSU and earned a B.A. in Social Science. In 1998 I was accepted in the (T2ARP) credential program at SDSU.

Interests, Activities, & Plans
I've always been interested in dabbling with various computer technologies and hardware widgets (I suppose it's a carry-over from my years in technical school). I'm eager to learn how to incorporate computer technologies into the classroom. Our technological futures should be very exciting! I enjoy talking about, and exploring, the social aspects of our technology.

When I'm not in the classroom I enjoy coaching roller hockey and spending time with my family. I love to travel, play tennis, ride my motorcycle and travel to the mountains to snow ski. I started snow skiing when I was about ten years old, and later, raced on a ski team in high school. Skiing is our official family sport. My son is still trying to get me on a snowboard, but so far I've resisted.

After completing my credential program at SDSU I look forward to a job in education. With a little luck I'll graduate from college before my children!

Other Interesting Things
Let's see..... I'm one of nine children and by today's standards I lived a very sheltered existence. My (large) family publishes a monthly newsletter so that we might all keep up-to-date with various family activities. Computers and email has greatly assisted us in our letter writing endeavors. Writing short stories has been a creative outlet that I have too little time to enjoy.

Favorite Places in Web space
Here's a neat history site on the web! Or maybe you're interesting in a little museum tour from our nation's capital.

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