R. Craig Collins > My Intro
to the Class
My Intro to the class ©
R. Craig Collins, 2005
Your intro does not need to be this detailed!
- I am R. Craig Collins, father of two girls. Both tested at the college
level in 5th grade, both took the SAT in the 7th grade.
- I am a professional teacher and trainer. Before I began teaching at colleges,
I was a scuba instructor, a private aircraft pilot, a restaurant manager,
a profession education trainer, and a text book author. I hope each one of these jobs helped shape who I am
today. But sometimes, my past causes me trouble; for instance, when I go swimming, I often take my prescription ground
mask and snorkel, though I leave my 12 inch dive knife and flippers at home.
- I am a pilot. Aside from loving to pilot, I like to ride. I have flown on
707s, 727s, 737s, 747s, 757s, 767, 777s, Airbus 320s, Airbus 330s, DC 10s, and even a DC 3. But
I have also flown in a hot air balloon, a helicopter, a sea plane, and many
different single and twin engine aircraft.
- I am a traveler. Aside from living in Los Angeles, Albuquerque, El Paso,
Houston, Orlando, and Central Texas, I have been to 38 States and the District
of Columbia. During my travels I have visited many places, including New York
City, Philadelphia, Boston, Charlotte, Atlanta, New Orleans, Oklahoma City,
Denver, Phoenix, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, San Diego, Los Angeles, San
Francisco, Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Seattle and Victoria, BC, and most
of the cities in Texas. I have also traveled outside the United States, experiencing
Windsor and Toronto Ontario, Canada, London England, Edinburgh Scotland, Brussels
Belgium, Cuidad Juarez Mexico, Amsterdam the Netherlands, Munich Germany,
Salzburg Austria, Rome Italy, Zurich Switzerland, Paris, France, Prague in
the Czech Republic, and Dublin, Ireland. Christmas 2007: Copenhagen, Denmark.
- I am a cook. While many of you may have trouble getting toast made for
your breakfast, I actually worked in a place that could serve 1000 people
an hour, and vividly remember making over 100 pies one afternoon.
- I am somewhat successful, at least at being a geek. I have found that students
will pay a little more attention to you if, like the Tin Man in the 'Wizard
of Oz,' you have some sort of award or two that indicates you may have learned
a little something. While finishing up my BBA in Computer Information Systems
at the University of Texas El Paso, I was named to Who's Who in American Colleges
and Universities, The National Dean's List, Men of Mines, was inducted into
Alpha Chi National Honor Society, The Data Processing and Management Association,
the Management Honor Society, received a Honors Program Certificate, recognition
for Academic Achievement, was awarded my diploma with Honors (Cum Laude) and
was selected a Top Ten Senior. Since then, I have been named to Who's Who
in America several times, as well as being honored in Who's Who Among America's
Teachers and Who's Who in American Education. I was recently invited to speak at a round table meeting at Oxford, in London.
- I am a techie. I used to have a watch that 'talk's to a computer, and reminded me
of birthdays and important dates. I have a 2 GB storage device. I have a wireless
presentation mouse. I have a midi keyboard. In my lab and office right now, I have
a WIndows workstation, a Windows server, a Linux server, a Windows Mobile
device, and a tablet computer... plus an old Macintosh, not to mention
the laptops at home.
- I am an author. I have published poetry and computer books, and am currently
working on several novels.
- I am on a diet. Driving so much makes it hard to get into the gym, but I
have come up with a good schedule and am really watching what I eat. My goal
is to get to my original weight... 6 lb. 8 oz.
- I am still a student, and probably will always be taking one class or another.
Next area of study, history.
~more~