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Name: Matt Clark
Grades: 7th & 8th Courses Taught: Fine Arts Set Design Student Council Ultimate Frisbee Degree(s): B.A. in Studio Art (U. Georgia) Email: fja.middleschool@gmail.com |
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After graduating high school in Marietta, I moved on to art school at the University of Georgia. Upon graduating college I moved around the southeast sharpening my skills in outdoor recreation, which brought me to the outdoor recreation Mecca of Flagstaff in 1998. Shortly after arriving I began my teaching career with a part time art teaching job at FJA. I have been teaching art and social studies at FJA for six years. Art is a core curriculum class at FJA Middle School. This art class is a departure from basic craft making to a fine art class, which includes drawing, painting, sculpture, cinema appreciation, and production/set design. In addition to teaching the fundamentals of art, I emphasize the importance of learning to "see with an artist's eye". We participate and perform well in several local art shows and contests. As a class, we have gone on art related fieldtrips to the Renaissance Festival and to Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home Taliesin West. |
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Name: Marty Heilman
Position: Fitness/Wellness Degree(s): B.S. Physical Education (NAU) NASM Certified ACEu Certified Email: MartyHeilman@fjacademy.com |
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The class I teach is called Wellness Education with the focus on living a healthy lifestyle. After spending 25 years in the fitness industry, I try to make fitness fun and positive. I have worked as a trainer and instructor in many health clubs and have seen first hand the importance of living a healthy lifestyle how to make it a part of daily living. At FJA, we believe that health and wellness are very important aspects of daily living. We want our students to have the skills and knowledge needed to live a long, healthy life. My goal is for each student to understand the importance of living this lifestyle, to be aware of the consequences of being unhealthy and to find that wellness can be fun and makes us feel good. I strive to help students in: being active every day; in knowing which foods are healthy and which ones to avoid; in understanding why a balanced diet is important; in knowing the dangers of tobacco, drugs and alcohol; in understanding what it means to be a kind, compassionate, caring person, and in knowing why it's important to give back to the community and be part of the solution. By exposing our students to a wide variety of activities we hope that each student will find one that is fun, effective and they will do for the rest of their lives. A healthy body equals a healthy mind. |
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Name: Amy Larson
Grades: 7th & 8th Courses Taught: Science Geographic Info Systems Field Methods Dance Degree(s): B.A. Earth Science Ed. (NAU) M.A. Science Ed. (NAU) Email: AmyLarson@fjacademy.com |
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I grew up outside of Detriot, MI and moved to Flagstaff to attend NAU in 2000. I graduated from NAU in 2005 and moved to Asheville, NC where I taught high school earth science and biology for 3 years. I traveled a bit in Central America and decided to return to Flagstaff for another round of school. The most important goals that I have for my students are to learn how to think critically and apply scientific knowledge to real world situations. My goal as a science educator is to help my students achieve scientific literacy and be able to apply the information they learn at school in their daily lives. I also hope that my students gain a stronger appreciation for the natural world from the content they learn and experiences they have in my classes and at FJA. I am an outdoor enthusiast and love to spend my time being active outside...either hiking, biking, camping, kayaking, snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing...whatever the season has to offer! My passion for science and teaching students about the natural world around us keeps me motivated to continue learning new information whenever the opportunity arises. I enjoy traveling to new places and learning about the culture, languages, landscape, and local plants and animals. |
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Name: Jake McQuaid
Grades: 7th & 8th Courses Taught: Social Studies Geography History W.O.L.F. Degree(s): M.Ed. in Secondary Education B.A. in Outdoor Education Email: JakeMcQuaid@fjacademy.com |
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The hats I have worn: military brat, world traveler, camp counselor, outdoor educator, Vermonter, college student, barista, teacher, all around funny guy... I am a strong supporter of inter-disciplinary education models. FJA allows me to combine multiple topics to create a relevant educational experience that strives to encourage:
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Name: J.D. O'Reilly
Grades: 7th & 8th Courses Taught: Special Ed. Teachers' Aide Degree(s): B.A. in English (LSU) Email: fja.middleschool@fjacademy.com |
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I am originally from New Orleans and graduated from Louisiana State University in May 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English (Creative Writing) and a minor degree in Anthropology. I have worked as an Arizona state certified substitute teacher since 2008, working in both the Prescott and Flagstaff Unified School Districts. I strive for open and clear communication, and my door is always open to my students and their families. I am a teacher who respects every student's cognitive diversity. I support the positive living and learning environment that exists at FJA. I work with teachers and students to help achieve their goals and believe that everybody is indeed somebody, especially at FJA. My wife and I made Flagstaff our home in January 2009. We enjoy hiking, camping, and exploring with our two Basenjis. I am a guitar player/singer-song writer and you may catch me performing my solo act around town sometime. |
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Name: Dan Ruch
Position: Special Ed. Coordinator Degree(s): M.Ed. (NAU) M.F.A. Theater (U. Missouri) Drama Studio of London B.A. Theater (U. N. Colorado) Email: DanRuch@fjacademy.com |
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"Success is achieved by developing our strengths, not by eliminating our weaknesses." -Marilyn Vos Savant My primary aim as Special Education Coordinator is to help the students get the individualized practice to master the tools they need to be successful in school and in life. Special education can be a very confusing subject. I take great satisfaction in providing parents and teachers with the information they need to understand the system and give each child the education they need. I firmly believe that regular, healthy communication can solve most problems. So please never hesitate to call or e-mail with any questions or concerns you may have. I am a state certified special education teacher with a master's degree in elementary education from NAU. I'm married to a wonderful woman named Brenda. I have a terrific daughter named Cecilia and a fabulous son named William. Outside of school, I enjoy watching and making movies, photography, and stage combat. |
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Name: Matt Sarnoski
Grades: 7th & 8th Courses Taught: Language Arts Lives of Music True Lies Strength and Awareness Degree(s): B.AiL.S in Music/Psychology (NAU) Email: MattSarnoski@fjacademy.com |
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I studied literature at the University of Scranton for 2 years. I spent years as a professional touring musician, and I have also studied the internal martial arts for the past 10 years. Believing in the basic necessity of local, healthy food production, I spend my time outside of school growing food for my family, friends and community. I have always had a strong dislike for schooling and institutions, which serendipitously lead me back to the classroom to provide unique content in a way that was fresh and relevant for students. I hope for each student to be able to see the world through a discerning lens focused by clear thought and useful knowledge; for each student to be able to respond to their world, in a manner consistent with their morals and passions, in communications that are clear, original and effective; for each student to develop a love of reading, writing and learning that progresses and catches fire both in and outside of the classroom. |
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Name: Britton Shepardson
Grades: 7th & 8th Courses Taught: Mathematics Spanish Geographic Info Systems Tennis Degree(s): Ph.D. in Anthropology (U. Hawai'i) B.A. in Math (Claremont Coll.) Email: drbrittonfja@fjacademy.com |
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I studied mathematics at small liberal arts colleges in Vermont and California to receive my B.A. After college I began to pursue graduate work in archaeology at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. I spent much of my time in graduate school traveling for research. I have conducted archaeological research in California, Hawai'i, Tahiti, Easter Island, and in the Federated States of Micronesia. I also spent a summer studying complex systems and computer simulation at the Santa Fe Institute. Traveling to see the diverse cultures and environments around the world has always been my greatest passion. In all, I've been to more than 30 countries. Recent trips include Chile, Ecuador, Pohnpei, and Palau. I have also always had a strong interest in sports and the outdoors. I played for a top-ten NCAA Div 3 tennis team in college, and I have coached players of all ages and skill levels for the past 11 years in California, Hawai'i, and Tennessee. I am happy to call Flagstaff my new home. I look forward to showing all students how exciting math can be, and I look forward to proving to all students that they are much better at math than they ever dreamed. |
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Name: Wilson Thomas
Classes: 1st-6th Art 3rd-6th Music 7th-8th Band 7th-8th Drama 7th-8th Improvisation Degree(s): M.A. Edu. Leadership (NAU) B.S. Biology (NAU) Email: WilsonThomas@fjacademy.com |
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If you see me at school I probably have a smile on my face! I love my job. I have lived in Flagstaff since 1995 and I have been working at FJA since 2003. Outside of school I enjoy playing the saxophone, gardening, and hiking with my wife and two dogs. My art curriculum includes ceramics, printing, painting, sculpture, fiber-arts, drawing, mixed-media, and lots more. Our students have had their art on display all around town and can also be seen adorning the halls of our elementary school. My music curriculum includes learning to play the recorder, African drum and dance, singing, and music history/appreciation. The middle school drama program performs two full-length plays each year at the Coconino Center for the Arts. Some of the plays that we have performed include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Aladdin, Alice in Wonderland, Robin Hood, Snow White, and Sherlock Holmes. The list goes on and on! If you are an FJA parent who wants to help out with the plays come talk with me. |
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