Q: How long have you been teaching at Central?

A: 35 years.

Q: What’s your fave class to teach?

A: I wouldn’t know if I have a favorite. These last few years, I tend to have more junior and senior co-ed classes. Each class is unique and they’re all special. It would be really hard to say.

Q: What has it been like teaching at Central?

A: This school has been a family to me. It’s what I do for 35 years and it’s what I go to sleep at night, waiting to wake up the next day to come in to be able to do. Through life, there’s highs and lows, but the one thing in my life that’s always been consistent is what I was going to get here at Naperville Central, the support, friends, relationships. That has never waived at all. Not just from the staff members, but from the students. This place has truly shaped me into who I am.

Q: What’s your favorite memory?

A: I’ve met so many great people. I think of Dick Smith. I took his job 35 years ago and every once awhile he’ll call me. The friendships and relationships are special. We’ve had state championships in football and state champs in track. But, it’s really about relationships. To have former players who are now back coaching in football and track, when it goes full circle like that it makes you feel really special and that what you did meant something.

Q: What are your future plans after retiring?

A: I’m still going to coach football for awhile. Retirement is a little scary, I’ll be honest with you. When you’re here almost every day in the summer, the rest of the world scares me a little bit, but I’m excited to spend time with my wife. We want to travel and have a little wishlist of where we want to go and things we want to see. I’m excited to do that, but I want to finish things off here too for a little bit longer. I truly do love this place. Naperville Central is a very special place.

Q: What are you going to miss most about teaching at Central?

I will miss the people, the students, the smiles, the laughs, and the relationships. That’s what scares me. I’m going to miss that. I’m excited about the future, but it’s also scary.