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Nah, this isn't Mr. McFadden, but if you click on his illustration, you'll see what he really looks like!

This is my eighth year as second grade teacher at Neighborhood and I couldn't be more sure that I'm right where God wants me to be. Working with second graders is a special treat. They continually amaze me with their insights and questions. It is really fun to see them learn and grow. Sometimes it's like watching little lights go on all over the room.

Some folks around here call me "the Bug Guy" It's not because I love bugs so much or know so much about them (although I do think they are fascinating); it's just because the second graders have some rather unusual classroom pets: giant Madagascan hissing cockroaches.

Drawing and painting have always been more than a hobby with me. I have shown my work in many galleries and art exhibits including the State Fair. I like to keep painting,,but it's not always easy to carve out the time to do it. I studied to be an art teacher and I like to let my students experiment with different art forms. I love to see what the kids will do when they try out new art materials or techniques - like working with clay or making paper.

I am married and have two children. My daughter is a freshman in College and my son is a sophomore in high school. We love to travel and recently took a coast-to-coast national park and monument tour. Although it was certainly no vacation, I also enjoyed   sharing the Gospel as part of a short-term mission to Siberia with the International School Project.

I love to listen to music, especially some of the new Christian music that Mr. Lanning shares with me from time to time. Not long ago I started trying to play the bass guitar and I've really been enjoying playing with our worship team at church.

My favorite Bible verse changes from time to time. Right now it's Ephesians 2:4,5 - "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions -- It is by grace you have been saved."