Teacher: D. Allan Bruner

(allanbruner@mail.coolschool.k12.or.us)

All of the stories you hear about people changing careers seven to nine times throughout a lifetime seem to be true in my case. I have fished in Alaska for a time, driven forklift in a cold storage plant, managed a sales force of fifteen for a major automotive parts corporation, fed Tussock moths as a biologist for the US Forest Service, and I've been licensed as a nurse following a rigorous training program! After pursuing doctoral-level work in biochemistry and biophysics at Oregon State University, I decided to explore the one thread that seemed to tie every one of my life experiences together: TEACHING!

I currently enjoy practicing the science and art of teaching mathematics, science, and vocal jazz at Colton High School, where I have taught for the past thirteen years. In that time, I have had the opportunity to draw upon every one of my life experiences. The question, "When am I ever going to have to use this?" usually doesn't apply to me.

Like most of the faculty at COOLSchool, I am not what you would call a "typical" teacher. Like most of the students looking into the exciting and innovative world of online courses, I am intrigued with the possibilities and potential of nontraditional education, especially in the realm of online courses.

I am native to the Pacific Northwest of the United States, born in Hood River, Oregon, in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. My family moved to Washington State, across the Columbia River from Oregon, where I attended high school and college. In the early 1980s I moved back to Oregon to attend graduate school at Oregon State University. I met my future bride, Karen, at OSU while she was finishing her Masters degree in Forest Ecology.

We currently live on four acres near Mulino, Oregon, overlooking the Molalla River in SE Clackamas County. From our front yard, we can see across the lower Willamette Valley all the way to the Coast Range. We enjoy managing our small farm where we grow blueberries, raspberries, apples, pears, and a variety of garden vegetables. Our family consists of three daughters (ages nine, seven, and four), 22 chickens, two ducks, two cats, and a dog.

Prior to having children, Karen and I explored the option of home schooling. We currently are doing just that with our two oldest daughters, and are having a great time watching them learn. Our youngest child was born with the challenge of Down syndrome, and it has been remarkable to see how providing an enriching and stimulating environment has enhanced her development. She has an active vocabulary of over 100 American Sign Language signs, and the entire family has been involved in acquiring this exciting form of communication. Further information on Down syndrome can be obtained through the National Down Syndrome Society

I am excited to be a part of COOLSchool. The ability to bring to you an advanced mathematics course online is wonderful. I look forward to getting to know you through our e-mail discussions