Biographical Info

Biographical Info

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In 1989 I began my career as an English teacher. After a year and a half at Canisteo, I joined the Bath faculty and have enjoyed being here ever since. I live on Burton Street, just a couple blocks from the school.

 

Before becoming a teacher, I held a few other jobs. Here they are in sequence:

 

Dilly Bar dipper at Dairy Queen, Drummer in rock band, Helper on meat truck deliveries, Dishwasher at Rutgers Dining Hall, Campus bus driver, Volunteer at anti-war demonstrations, Offal handler, Hamburger grinder, Copper plate polisher, Partner in wallpaper business, School bus driver, LA City bus driver, Drummer/guitarist/singer/booking agent in rock band, Driver of handicapped van, Sales rep for Hostess Cake, Sales rep for Dealers Service, Constructed own home, High school hall monitor, Assistant to Alfred University professor

 

I spent my youth in North Arlington, a working-class suburban town in northern New Jersey. Rutgers University provided my undergraduate degree in English, and I graduated from Alfred University with a degree in English Education in 1989 with 3.9 cumulative average -- the only member of my class inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society.

Also worth mentioning is that I have been a successful husband for over a quarter of a century (My wife Debbie gave me a card saying so).  We are the parents of two bright, yet sometimes insubordinate sons, Brian and Nate – both RIT students.

 

The New York state curriculum controls much of what must be taught, but I like to mix it up a bit too. Besides bringing some comedy to my lessons (perhaps I should say attempts at comedy), I often incorporate music and song lyrics whenever possible. The Beatles and Bob Dylan are immediate sources, but we are not limited to artists from the past, and I am pleased when my students point me to newer artists of merit. For more about music, see the videos on the home page. Also, at YouTube go to mrjimdotcom.