About
Hi there! I'm Dan.
I'm a digital designer with a decade-long background in education. In my free time, I'm an active member of the Seattle music scene, and when I'm not writing/recording music, you can usually find me at the local rock climbing gym!
Education
Teacher
Prior to my study of Design, I spent ten years as a high school teacher at The Privett Academy on Mercer Island, WA. I have experience teaching grades 8-12, with a primary focus in English and Math courses. Some of these classes were geared toward advanced students, but a majority of the time I worked with kids struggling with learning disorders (ADHD, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, etc).
My time in education was a constant practice in empathic thinking, clear communication, and adaptability— all skills I rely heavily on in my design process.
Co-author
Modernizing math: envisioning liberatory math futures
From 2023-2024, I had the pleasure of participating in a series of Design Research workshops developed by Optimistic Design. Our collective goal was to create a clear vision for the future of math education. As someone with a teaching background, it was a real treat to offer some insight as a co-author of the resulting document. You can read the document here!
Music
I'm a self-taught guitarist and drummer, and have been playing in bands, writing, and recording original music for over half my lifetime. It brings me so much joy to collaborate with friends and create something beautiful out of nothing.
Athletics
Climbing has been a big part of my life for the past eight years. Not only is it great physical exercise, but it's also super helpful for maintaining mental health.
I have always had a preference for individual sports, as a practice in discipline and self-reliance.
