TROOPS-TO-TEACHERS THE MENTOR CONNECTION CALIFORNIA Mentors

Air Force

  Edward Murphy

• Rank:  United States Air Force Captain
• Status and Date:  Retired, April 1995
• Teaching Locations:  Will C. Wood High School, Vacaville CA
• Teaching Levels:  Spanish I, II, III, IV; English as a Second Language, Business and Accounting
• Biographical Information:  Raised in Columbia, Costa Rica, and Argentina. Spent time in the Greek, Korean and Spanish military. 21 years USAF: Command Posts, Base Administration, Section Commander duties, Special duties in REDCOM and On Site Inspection Agency in weapons reduction treaties. Ph.D-Business Administration; BA-Business Management.

 Send Edward a message!

  RICK LEVAN

• Rank:  Major
• Status and Date:  Separated, September 1992
• Teaching Locations:  Canyon Middle School, Yucaipa CA
• Teaching Levels:  Gr. 7 - Pre-Algebra; Life Science
• Biographical Information:  Served in USAF as C-141 Navigator; Flight Instructor & Examiner; "Volant Wrench" Maintenance Officer, Norton AFB, CA; Executive Officer to Wing Commander, Altus AFB, OK. 1977-BA Accounting from Moravian College, Bethlehem PA. 1992-MA Management from Webster University. 1996-Multi-subject California Teaching Credential from University of Redlands, CA. 2007 California Teacher of the Year.

 Send Rick a message!

Army

Navy

  Richard Bermudez, Sr.

• Rank:  Petty Officer 1, United States Navy
• Status and Date:  Retired July 1994
• Teaching Locations:  Palmer Way Elementary in National City, California
• Teaching Levels:  Teaching 6th grade level multiple-subjects in a self-contained classroom
• Biographical Information:  Served as a Telecommunications Center Specialist and Instructor, USN, 1974-1994. Earned my Bachelors degree while in the service and registered with Troops to Teachers. Started working as a teacher's aide, then a substitute teacher with emergency credentials. Finished my teacher's internship and acquired my own classroom. Currently a Beginning Teacher Support Provider(BTSA), Teacher Leader in the California Reading and Literature Project (CRLP), and now have my Professional Teaching Credential. Presently teaching in a "high needs" school.

 Send Richard a message!

  Richard Thomas

• Rank:  Commander
• Status and Date:  Retired '94
• Teaching Locations:  Jean Callison Elementary School, Vacaville CA
• Teaching Levels:  Gr. 4
• Biographical Information:  

 Send Richard a message!

Marines

  WILLIAM MIMIAGA

• Rank:  Major
• Status and Date:  Retired, September 1994
• Teaching Locations:  Stephens Middle School, Long Beach CA
• Teaching Levels:  Special Ed.-ED Students in Gr. 6-7-8.
• Biographical Information:  Served 31 yrs. active duty with USMC. Rose to rank of GySgt, CWO-4 and retired as Major. Two tours in Vietnam with a combat promotion to SSGT. 1990-91: Served in the Gulf War. Bachelor's degree-Chapman University. MEd-Chaminade University, Hawaii. Regular Ed and Special Ed credentials from Hawaii and California. Taught 3 yrs. in Hawaii and the past 8 yrs. in CA. 2006-California Teacher of the Year for Middle Schools.

 Send William a message!

Coast Guard

Return To DANTES Home