Thomas

I grew up poor. But education lifted me up from poverty. I married my high school sweetheart in 1968, and this year 2026 we will celebrate our 58th wedding anniversary. I worked in the Avoyelles Parish School System for 33 years as a high school teacher of English and social studies, assistant principal in three schools, principal in two schools, and in the district office as the English/Social Studies Resource Teacher/Grants Coordinator (mostly writing grants). I served as an adjunct instructor at LSUA and Northwestern State University of Louisiana. I have worked as an adjunct instructor in Michigan for Macomb Community College, University of Phoenix in Metro Detroit, and Baker College in Clinton Township and Auburn Hills. I taught as a full-time instructor for seven years at Baker College of Auburn Hills. I have made education presentations at the state level in Louisiana and Michigan, at the regional level in the South, and at the national level in Florida, Nevada, and Michigan. Teaching/education has been my life's work. I revel in student success at high standards. I still teach through my writings--especially the historical fiction. I am an independent, self-published author of 13 books. I still tutor at times and also consult as a grant writer. I serve as a board member at the local history museum, am active in my church, present workshops and speak occasionally, and am the 2025-2026 president of the Avoyelles Retired Teachers Association. Family and faith are very important to me.