A lot of writers start out trying to get into the industry and then take a day job as a teacher to pay the bills. I took the scenic route! I technically started as a high school kid with a camera and a dream of making movies and became a teacher almost by accident. But that accident has become my secret weapon. My day job keeps me fluent in the ever-evolving chaos of youth culture—whether I like it or not. I have a knack for writing stories that resonate with young audiences because my classroom doubles as a focus group. Need a crash course in Gen Z humor, existential dread, or why everything is “cringe”? I’ve got receipts. Being a high school film, media and screen writing teacher, my list of personal/professional accomplishments is fairly unimpressive. Time is not my friend. That said I have written and directed many independent films that nobody cares about. Passion projects that’ve screened at festivals you’ve definitely not heard of — and I have taught hundreds of students how to avoid my mistakes. Their work? Flawless. My students have won multiple film festival awards, including Directing Change, which I am very proud of but can only take a tiny smidgeon of credit for. Many of my students have also been accepted into prestigious and important film schools and university programs. Which I will take a little more credit for. Being their teacher and all. After years of equipping the next generation with cameras and confidence, I’m looking to step out from behind the teacher’s desk and collaborate with my peers. Let’s make something unforgettable—or at least something my students won’t roast.