From the quiet farmland of northern Illinois to the vibrant streets of Paris and the sprawling desert campus of the College of Southern Nevada, my life has been a journey across languages, cultures, and continents — a journey defined by an enduring passion for the French language and a deep commitment to the teaching profession.

I was born in Rockford, Illinois, and raised in a very small rural farm community in the northern part of the state. Growing up amid the open corn fields and close-knit character of farm country, I developed an early sense of curiosity about the world far beyond the horizon. Even as a child, I felt a powerful draw toward France and the French language — a fascination that would prove to be the defining thread of my entire professional and personal life. In a community where international cultures were rarely encountered firsthand, this passion stood out as something unusual and deeply personal, a quiet conviction that would eventually carry me across the ocean.

That early passion led me to take a bold step at the outset of my college education: I spent my freshman year studying French at the Alliance Française in Paris, France. Immersing myself in the language and culture at one of the most storied institutions of French language education was transformative. Living in Paris, navigating daily life in French, and absorbing the rhythms of the city gave me not only fluency but a profound sense of belonging in the Francophone world. That year confirmed what I had sensed growing up in Illinois — that the French language and francophone culture were not merely academic interests but essential parts of my identity.

Upon returning from Paris, I continued my formal education at Arizona State University, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in French Language and Culture. My undergraduate studies deepened my knowledge of French literature, civilization, and linguistic structure, and they prepared me for the more specialized work that lay ahead. I remained at Arizona State University for my graduate studies, earning a Master's Degree in French Linguistics. It was during this period that I returned to France for a second extended stay — this time to write my master's thesis while teaching English at the Prytanée National Militaire, a French military academy that serves as a preparatory institution for the prestigious Grandes Écoles Militaires. Teaching English to students preparing for France's most demanding military and academic institutions was both a professional challenge and a cultural privilege. It gave me firsthand insight into the French educational system and the intellectual rigor that characterizes it, while also sharpening my skills as a language instructor — skills that would define my career for decades to come.

After completing my master's degree, I pursued doctoral studies in Second Language Acquisition and Teaching at the University of Arizona. This program allowed me to explore the science behind how adults learn new languages — the cognitive processes, pedagogical frameworks, and linguistic theories that underpin effective language instruction. My work in this field brought together my expertise in French linguistics with a broader, research-driven perspective on language pedagogy. Although I completed my doctoral coursework and exams as an ABD (All But Dissertation) candidate, the training and research experience I gained in this program fundamentally shaped my approach to teaching and my understanding of how languages are acquired, learned, and taught.

Since the conclusion of my doctoral program in 1999, I have served as a Professor of English as a Second Language at the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas. For more than a quarter century, I have dedicated myself to helping adult learners — many of them immigrants, international students, and working professionals — develop the English language skills they need to thrive in their new environment. Teaching ESL in one of the most diverse and dynamic cities in the United States has been profoundly rewarding. My students come from every corner of the globe, and each classroom is a microcosm of languages, cultures, and life stories. Drawing on my background in second language acquisition theory, French linguistics, and years of cross-cultural teaching experience, I strive to create a learning environment that is both academically rigorous and deeply humane.

In my current role as Department Chair of the Department of World Languages at the College of Southern Nevada, I have the privilege of leading a team of dedicated educators who teach not only French and English as a Second Language but a wide range of world languages. In this capacity, I work to strengthen language programs, support faculty development, and advocate for the critical importance of language education in an increasingly interconnected world. Leading a world languages department feels like a natural culmination of everything my career has been built upon — a conviction that language learning opens doors, builds bridges, and enriches lives.

Beyond the classroom, my professional interests include writing books about linguistics, ESL pedagogy, and the French language. Writing allows me to synthesize decades of teaching experience and theoretical knowledge into resources that can support other educators and advance the field. Whether exploring the structures of language, the methods that make language teaching most effective, or the nuances of French linguistics, I find that the act of writing sharpens my own understanding as much as it contributes to the broader professional conversation.

Outside of my professional life, two passions sustain and inspire me: traveling to France and camping. Returning to France always feels like a homecoming — a chance to reconnect with the language, the culture, and the landscape that first captured my imagination as a child in rural Illinois. Whether wandering through Parisian neighborhoods or exploring the countryside, I find that each visit deepens my appreciation for the Francophone world. Camping, on the other hand, offers a different kind of renewal. Time spent in nature — under open skies, far from the noise of the city — provides a quiet counterbalance to the demands of academic and administrative life. Together, these two pursuits reflect the poles of my personality: a love of culture and language, and a love of the natural world.