Biography

For the 2021-22 school year, I will be teaching Advanced Placement Human Geography, US History concurrent enrollment through UVU, US History, and Military History I and II.  This will be my fourth year teaching at UMA. I taught History/Geography and Spanish at Alpine School District for 30 years at Lehi Junior High and Willowcreek Middle School in Lehi, Utah.  I retired from the District in 2017.   I retired from the US Army with 31 years as a commissioned Officer in Infantry, Military Intelligence, and Information Operations (14 years Active Army and 17 years in the Reserves and National Guard).  I have deployed three times to the Middle East and worked nine years at the Pentagon. I was the Branch Chief for Anti-Terrorism and Intelligence and Program Manager for Operations Security for the Department of the Army. My military experience has benefited the students I teach because of the research of battles in the Civil War, WWII, Vietnam, and current conflicts.
 
I graduated from Brigham Young University in History/Geography and have three Masters Degrees in Education in Teaching (Grand Canyon University), Curriculum and Instruction (University of Phoenix), and Strategic Intelligence from the Defense Intelligence Agency. Currently, I am working on my Fourth Master's degree in Military History from American Military University.  I have taught US History and US Government for BYU online since 2014. I decided to return to teaching at the Utah Military Academy because I want to share my experiences to help our Cadets succeed in the military community.
My hobbies include swimming, biking, golf, and studying Military History.  I have traveled to several countries and regions throughout the world and bring alternate perspectives from different viewpoints.  Education is like exercise and is a lifelong pursuit and hope my classes can benefit everyone in applying these principles throughout their career.  I believe it is essential for everyone to maintain a balance in life to include constant learning and improvement, living a healthy lifestyle with physical fitness, and helping others succeed in life. 

I am married to Annette Trapp from Lehi (30+ years) and have two daughters and four grandchildren. Both my daughters and sons-in-laws graduated from BYU. We love the Cougars!