Bio

I was born and raised in North Portland, Oregon, and over the years, I have traveled through 49 states before realizing Oregon will always be home.  I live here with my wife, son, and dog, and I am still fixing up our 1911 bungalow.  I strongly believe writing a 1.5 million page paper is easier than home restoration.  This is not hyperbole.

I stayed fairly close to home to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in English, with a minor in Speech Communication, from Western Oregon State College (now University) in 1994.  I went pretty far away, geographically and culturally, to earn a Master of Arts degree in English, with a concentration in Creative Writing, from Mississippi State University in 1997.  I have (mostly) taught speech and all things English since then, although, in my lifetime, I have worked as a courier; record, cassette, and CD salesman; deli sandwich maker; GAP employee; resort housekeeper; salmon canner and roe briner in Alaska; office temp.; lifeguard; apartment manager; and wedding officiant.  Not all of these jobs preceded my teaching career—education is not as lucrative as you may think.  I am also co-director of Portland World Theatre.  We stage shows throughout the year, and I encourage you to attend one (or any live theater production) if you have the chance.  If you'd like to be involved at any level, let us know!

My wife and I lived in Sapporo and Tsukuba City, Japan, for two years, teaching English and exploring.  I have also taught at community colleges, colleges, and universities in Mississippi, Maine, Washington, and Oregon since 1996.  I teach full-time in the English Department at Clackamas Community College in Oregon City, OR, and my professional interests range from Japanese, Caribbean, and American Literature, Art, Architecture, and Culture to Drama and Theater Production to the Literary Merits of American Superhero Comics.  In my free time, I enjoy studying and collecting pieces of Oregon history.  I often go to estate sales to unearth these treasures.  While sifting through boxes and past lives, I am saddened that no family members (of the often deceased) are able to inherit these wonderful mementos and memories, but I am happy that I can learn from them and give them new life.  I put many of these finds to work in an Oregon Literature course I teach at Clackamas, so others may hopefully appreciate our state’s culture and history as I do.

When I am driving around, I listen to Old School Hip Hop or Classic Country & Western Music (they are not as far apart as you may imagine).  When I need to relax, I pop in The Royal Tenenbaums; Seven Samurai; Good Will Hunting; Goodbye, Mr. Chips; The Big Night; or The Incredible Mr. Limpet.  I think I own over 400 movies.  Almost all VHS.  That's insane.  I have been known to watch the entire run of Firefly in one sitting.  Serenity isn't bad either.  I have also watched a lot of Thomas the Tank Engine and Blue's Clues.  Hand me just about any book and I will be happy.  I may balk at the poetry of the Jimmys, Stewart and Carter, however.  Try not to hold that against me.

Stop by if you have the chance!  I teach in the English Department at Clackamas, and my office is in Roger Rook 233.  I can be reached by phone at 503.657.6958 x 5137 and by email at ryand@clackamas.edu.  Current students can find class links full of relevant information on my website, Jet Jaguar’s Happy-Time Fun Club!