Dan VanNortwick

Where did you go to school? I went to three Elementary Schools: Sunset Elementary  in Seattle, WA, and both Rabbit Creek and Turnagain Elementary in Anchorage, AK. Middle School was Romig Junior High and High School was West Anchorage High School, Class of ‘82. I went to University of Oregon and graduated winter of 1987.

How long have you been teaching and what grade level? I started substitute teaching in ‘88, went to Thailand in ‘89 and taught English, 8th Grade Art, and High School PE at a small mission school. Returning to the US in ‘92, I subbed and then taught 3rd Grade at Elizabeth Page Elementary in Springfield, OR. I returned to Chiang-Mai, Thailand and taught at Chiang-Mai International School until ‘02. While there, I taught 5th Grade, Middle School Social Studies and Art, 9th Grade World History and High School Art. In 2002, I was a Humanities(Social Studies/Language Arts) teacher at Broadway Middle School. I also taught Art, Intro to Languages, and Study Skills. In ‘09 I sabbaticaled back in Thailand to teach 5th Grade at CMIS, and returned to Seaside to begin teaching 4th Grade at Gearhart, Seaside Heights, and now Pacific Ridge Elementary. The 2023-24 school year will mark 36 years of teaching.

What's your favorite subject to teach? I love teaching Art and History.

What was your favorite subject when you were in school? All my Art and History classes.

Who was your favorite teacher & why? or What made you want to become a teacher? At the time, Mr. Wulkiwitz, my 9th Grade Biology teacher, was a favorite. He made Life Science fun and creative. Looking back, I appreciate Mrs. Bruce, my 10th Grade English teacher, who, after reading our first papers, scrapped the mandated curriculum and taught us how to write sentences and paragraphs. What courage!

 I wanted to become a teacher for three reasons: 1) It was my Dad’s dream. 2) Teaching is an act of service. 3) I wanted to liquidate ignorance. My own first and then as many others as possible. Knowledge is power.

Favorite hobby? Reading, watching movies, camping, biking, art, and writing.

Favorite book? As a kid I loved Where The Red Fern Grows. Now I gravitate towards Alternative Histories.

Favorite coffee drink? Iced Mocha

If I had an extra $10 to spend on your classroom, I would buy:Classroom Books

If I had an extra $10 to spend on myself, I would buy:A book for my kindle.

If I could pick a gift card to any store/restaurant, I would choose:the Mighty Thai restaurant

Classroom Amazon Wishlist: