I am a math and computer science teacher, currently teaching at Sir Charles Tupper Secondary in the Vancouver School Board. Most of my teaching career has been spent teaching math, but after returning to UBC in 2014 to study computer science I have taught quite a few blocks of computer science.
I've been playing around with HTML / CSS / Javascript to create simple web apps (in the spirit of Wordle). Here are a few I've worked on:
isprime.app – Can you guess whether a number is prime or composite?
dayoftheweek.app – I built this one so that I could practice the algorithm for determining the day of the week.
nback.app – This is a variation on the psychology test called n-back. 1-back and 2-back are easy. How far can you go?
mymath.page – This is a selection of simple quizzes on the four basic arithmetic operations.
Word Finder - A tool to help you get every last word in the NY Times Spelling Bee puzzle.
Wordle6 - A version of Wordle for six-letter words.
Ship's bells - A page that show the current time and rings a ship's bell according to the four-hour watch.
Headsup Hold'em - A page (in progress) showing a headsup deal and some probabilities.
Headsup Hold-em - A page (in progress) allowing for a complete deal and evaluation.
I enjoy physical exercise such as hiking and running. I've done three marathons, and on August 26, 2012 I completed the Ironman Canada race in Penticton. Over the last few years I've started regularly swimming in the ocean and some years I have swum through the winter. I take a thermometer and record the temperature. Here's a chart showing all the temperatures I've recorded since I started recording temps in 2016 (you can compare with this site). Here's the official site that shows the water quality test results locally. And, to answer all the questions about whether this activity is good for you, or not, here's an academic article: Cold Water Swimming—Benefits and Risks: A Narrative Review.
Upon turning 50 I decided to do something "outside my comfort zone". So, I chose to run for MLA in the 2017 provincial election. I ran as an independent candidate in the Vancouver-Point Grey riding, and I prepared a platform document in support of more diversity in educational curricula in the province. I ended up garnering 84 votes. (Amazingly I was not last!) It was an excellent learning experience.
I'm interested in health and wellness. I highly recommend reading "Good Calories, Bad Calories" by Gary Taubes. Here is a brief excerpt from the epilogue. You might be interested in watching this 90 minute lecture by Robert Lustig on fructose. After watching the lecture you can take a look at this spreadsheet with the fructose content of various foods. Here is an excerpt on longevity from a book by Desmond Morris. Mental health is, of course, just as important as physical health. Make sure you are not guilty of any cognitive distortions. And if you are already familiar with cognitive therapy, or rational emotive behaviour therapy, then you might find this REBT form helpful. And here's a handy graphic with 50 cognitive biases.
Cooking is an interest of mine, and have posted a few of my favourite recipes. I'm a big fan of Thai food and also of southern style barbecue. In August of 2012 I got around to buying a smoker so I could make some 'cue at home. In February 2017 I visited Franklin Barbecue in Austin, Texas and it lived up to its much hyped reputation. I waited four hours in line for what was truly the best barbecue I've ever had, especially the brisket.
A profile of me appeared in the UBC Faculty of Education Alumni magazine.
I had a great time during the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, thanks to my brother, Robin.
Here is an obituary of my maternal grandmother Peggy Cartwright, and an obituary of my maternal grandfather, Phil Baker and here's a bio of him on the Old Time Radio Catalog. And, here is my father's obituary.
Education (Click on the degrees to see coursework listings)
