"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you did not do than by the things that you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the tradewinds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
--- Mark Twain
Greetings.
My name is Andrew Radenbaugh (aka "Mr. Rad") and I am engaged in my 12th year of teaching at SJHS. My teaching assignment for 2011-12 includes English 10 and Honors English 9 and I am also once again co-coaching the varsity wrestling team.
I have been attached to the St. Joseph Public Schools for most of my life as I grew up in the shadow of the former Milton school building on Forres Avenue, then graduated from SJHS (eventually inducted into its Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998), and now have been a faculty member and wrestling coach for the Bears since 2000.
Professionally, I am a graduate of the University of Notre Dame where I earned my B.A. in English, with a minor in general business. I was an office manager for seven years prior to being a teacher, but was drawn to education because I love contributing to something larger and infinitely more important than myself. In that spirit, I have also recently completed an M.A. in Educational Leadership at Western Michigan University. Speaking of WMU, I am proud to be a fellowship member of the Third Coast Writing Project sponsored through the university in Kalamazoo and have a very strong interest in utilizing writing as a learning tool rather than simply a reporting device.
On a personal level, I am married to a fellow teacher from a neighboring district and we have three children (ages 7, 18, and 18.5). Our daughter is now in the first grade, the youngest son is in the midst of his senior year at SJHS, and the older son is crammed into a dorm room for his freshman year at Michigan State. Lots of drama, emotion, and learning!
Take care, thanks for visiting, and stay in touch.
Mr. Rad
