SP Steve is a TN K-5 certified teacher, journalist, author, public school advocate and wrangler of hounds.

And he’s pretty passionate about all those things.

All children, given equal access to quality public education, can learn. I am a teacher, mentor, writer, and communications professional with over 30 years of progressive experience. I am particularly passionate about the way children learn; public education; and appropriate uses of technology. I work hard to prepare students for a literate and rich future as lifelong learners. I learn from my students every single day.”

Teacher.

Tennessee K-5 certified. All Praxis tests passed, including basic
Elementary, PLT, Teaching of Reading, and ESL. Tennessee certification
effective 3-Jul-21. Taught sixth grade math/science 2007-08; Fifth grade 2008; Kindergarten 2021-22; Second grade 2022-23.

Substitute (guest) teaching.
– Ann Arbor Public Schools, MI | 2003-06.
– Brentwood Union School District, CA | 2006-07.
– Metro Nashville Public Schools, TN | 2009-10 and 2019—2022.

School districts in Michigan, California, and Tennessee. Coverage areas include AI/EMI/ EI/Autism special education; media centers and computer labs; secondary English and social studies; art and physical education; and Montessori and general elementary. In 2021-22, was building substitute teacher for Stanford Elementary Montessori School. Taught/worked with 3/4-year-olds and K-4 grades, as well as art, music, P.E., STEAM. Created barrier system for cafeteria to provide students COVID-19 protection during lunch. Assisted teachers, staff, and administrators throughout the building. Elementary schools in the Nashville area include Dodson, Hickman, Julia Green, Lockeland, McGavock, Norman Binkley, Pennington, Ruby Major, Stanford Montessori, Thomas Edison, and Una.

Author

Published author, 2014.
Researched, wrote, published Deadly Turbulence: The Air Safety Lessons of Braniff Flight 250 and Other Airliners, 1959–1966. McFarland: 2014. Highlighted the role of Dr. Ted Fujita, Mr. Tornado, in modern commercial aviation safety. Made keynote presentation at 50th anniversary commemoration of crash in Falls City, NE. Second book in works.

Journalist. Writer.

• News reporting, editing, writing, graphics production; manager/editor of students and stringers; news photography; internal communications; mentoring/coaching/tutoring of student journalists.

• Student mentoring and proctoring; communications consulting/writing/editing and intra/internet project management for a wide variety of corporate, private, start-up and non-profit firms.

• Complete internal communications management for an international DSL provider. Managing editor for large corporate intranet site. Customer service to diverse audiences. Large and small event project management. Intranet content development. Management of 60 web developers. Management of new employee orientation and training/mentoring staff; training technology; equipment logistics; and event and facilities management.

Hound Wrangler.

Steve and his husband Frank have rescued Basset Hounds from the Belly Rubs Basset Hound Rescue group since 2012. Before this, they had beagle puppies: Bayley (1994-2007); the brothers Feargal (2007-15); Fergus (2007-2021); and Fred (2007-2012).

The hounds they’ve rescued are:
• Roux I (2010-21)
• Bosco (20?-2018)
• Sasha (20?-2019)
• Tessa (20?-2019)
and the family:
• Mom: Loula (2013- ) and three of her children, two sons and a daughter:
• Goose (2015- )
• Charlie (2015- )
• Cordelia (Dilly) (2015- )

Educational Systems

Proficient in the following systems with daily usage and mastery.

The Latest

Here are the latest articles from Steve.

Steve Teaching Writing Workshop

Welcome!

—Steve Pollock—Teacher, Journalist, Author, Hound Wrangler Steve has been a journalist, author, teacher, public school advocate and wrangler…

Kid Paint Mess

Spare the Rod?

Is it worse than ever? Hard to know–we haven’t been quantifying this on any kind of national scale for a long time …