for State Representative 187th
• Grew up in Allentown and graduated from William Allen High School in 1968.
• Married to Lynn M. Ritter for over 34 years.
• Father of 3 sons: Seth, a medical student; Michael, a professional photographer; and Zacchary, a graduate student majoring in government.
• Attended Amherst College 1968-70; graduated summa cum laude from East Stroudsburg University in 1977, and performed graduate studies at Kutztown University, Gratz, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
• English teacher at Parkland High School for 28 years.
• President of the Parkland Education Association.
• Created and chaired the Integrated English/History program as well as a program for “at risk” students that was recognized as one of six outstanding programs at the first ever “At Risk” Students Conference.
• Lehigh County President of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, Eastern Region and a member of the Region Credentials, Coordinated Bargaining, and Executive Committees.
• Awarded the Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator Award in 1985.
• Co-chaired the committee that brought the area Special Olympics to Parkland Stadium.
• Advised Parkland High School’s Key Club, Literary Magazine, and the PHS Amnesty International Chapter.
• Member of Parkland’s Community Advisory Council and the Parkland School District 2008-2014 Strategic Planning Steering Committee.
• 20-year member and board member of Blue Heron Lake (Pike County)--an association his grandfather helped found for hunting, fishing, and conservation.