For a little more than a year I’ve been a photographer/writer for The Mountain-Ear. I am also a teacher at Gilpin County School. I have been teaching art classes there, preschool through high school students, for 22 years. My focus with the newspaper has been to feature stories about the cultural life at Gilpin County School.

In 1999 my wife Jenni Halsted (also an art teacher) and I moved to Colorado from northern Illinois. We both feel this was one of the best choices we’ve made in our lives. We raised our two children, Nina and Esmée, here in Gilpin County.

While living here I’ve been involved in many organizations. In the beginning I was part of the management team for the Nederland Area Seniors and the burgeoning Backdoor Theatre. I love that I have also been involved with the Gilpin County Arts Association, the Peak to Peak Rotary Interact Club Advisor and the Gilpin Extension Advisory Board.

When the Art Educator position came open at Gilpin County School I started what would become my life’s work. I had put 10 years into art education in Illinois and was happy to continue on that career path here in Colorado. Over the years I’ve seen Gilpin County School change from a typical rural school to an award-winning institution focused on the learning experience of each individual student.

I don’t know what my role will be beyond the next couple of years as I am nearing retirement but in the meantime, I am happy to keep contributing my view of student life at the school. Overall my family has enjoyed being part of the community in Nederland and Gilpin County. This is truly a wonderful place to live close to nature.