With almost 60 new faculty & staff members added to the 2015-16 faculty, the Rumbler staff profiled all new team members to help Raider Nation get to know them.

Position: Assistant Band Director I teach percussion for grades 6-12, meaning I teach Beginning Percussion in the 6th grade at Wiley Middle School, teach pull-out sectionals during Band class for 7th & 8th graders at Wiley and at Leander MS, and teach all percussion students at Rouse HS.  I also fulfill other responsibilities related to running the band and percussion programs at Rouse and Wiley.

Last book you’ve read: I’m working on Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson.  It’s a history of the evolution of the English language, but told in a very humorous way.

Favorite movie about high school: None spring to mind.  I don’t watch a lot of movies and haven’t seen most of the classics (Breakfast Club, etc.).  And, for the record, no, being in a high school drumline is absolutely NOTHING like Drumline, the movie.

What’s surprised you about Rouse? My last school was a small 5A – about 1450 students.  Being on a campus of nearly 2400 has been more different than I expected.

What’s something you love to do outside of school? I keep reef tanks (saltwater fish and coral).  I enjoy it because I get to learn about new things that are completely unrelated to my job field.

Best Tacos in Austin/Cedar Park Leander? I’m a vegetarian and don’t eat much dairy, so there aren’t a lot of restaurants that have options for me.  That being said, Taco deli has a number of delicious veggie options.  My favorite are the Freakin’ Vegan and the Jess Special.

What TV show are you embarrassed to admit you watch? I’m currently on my second full viewing of Murder, She Wrote.