biography

The Life of Keelen

I was born in July of 1975 in Central New Jersey. Rumor has it, that I was born smiling.   I come from a very large family, I have four brothers and three sisters. I also have over 100 cousins, with whom I am very close.

While in school I:
        * played for the high school football team
        * participated in the art, drama, F.C.A., and S.A.D.D clubs
        * acted in several plays
        * hosted the school news TV Show
        * hosted a weekly radio show

Before becoming a teacher, I was a man of many jobs, including:
        * a singing waiter
        * a shoe salesman
        * a horticulturalist
        * a pizza delivery man
        * a construction worker
        * a Zany Brainy Kidsultant
        * a politcal consultant

In college I majored in history and education. Afterwards I taught elementary education in Virginia for three years before returning home to New Jersey. I recently completed a Masters of Science program specializing in Integrating Technology in the Classroom.

This is my fifth year teaching in my home away from home, Moonachie.   Teaching Social Studies continues to be the fufillment of one of my life long dreams. I enjoy every second that I get to teach and learn from my amazing students.

I am married to my beautiful wife Sherri, and we've had an amazing addition to our family; our daughter Maggie was born in June of 2006. We are expected our second child in May of 2008. I am also the proud father of a cat named Tiki.

Frequently Asked Questions of Mr. Keelen:

Do you really make your students rent their desks & pay them for their work?
A: Yes and Yes. Students are paid for completed assignments; as well as for completing random acts of kindness or genius. However, they do have to pay a weekly rent for their desks, as well as monthly taxes. Students are allowed to purchase their desks and other properties in order to avoid paying rent & to start collecting it.

What is your favorite color:
A: Dark Green

Who are your heroes?
A: Dr. Seuss and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. One taught me to imagine while the other taught me to dream.

What is your favorite period of history?
A: Geez, I have a few! Let's break it up by grade level
5th Grade: Early Native American Civilizations
6th Grade: Egypt
7th Grade: US Civil War
8th Grade: Civics

What is your favorite food?
A: A giant slice of New Jersey pizza

What is your favorite band?
A:   The Beatles

What is your favorite movie?
A: Star Wars, Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back

Do you dye your beard?
A: No, by some strange accident of genetics my hair on top of my head is brown and the hair in my beard is red. Although, I once dyed it green for St. Patrick's Day.

What is your favorite book?
A: To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

What are your hobbies?
A: Reading, singing (badly), listening to music, running, cooking, frisbee, playing the occassional video game, but above all else . . . LEARNING!

Have a question for Mr. Keelen? Email it to him at: GKeelen@rlcraig.org

RETURN TO HOME PAGE

This page was last updated on: 11/16/2007