Jim Richards

Courses taught: sciences, health, sports marketing, business management, Tool for Success, art.

Education: B.A., Communications, Arizona State University. Masters in Education, Arizona State University.

Teaching since: 2001

Best part of teaching:
The sciences are courses that the United States has fallen behind in compared to the rest of the world. We need to emphasize science and math much more to complete in the world market. I really enjoy seeing the kids succeed.

Teaching style:
I am very patient, funny and easily relate almost any subject to the real world and life of my students. A lot of teachers can only teach what they learned by going to school, but I have the real life stories and experiences to back up what the science books talk about.

Best teaching moment:
I have had the opportunity to speak at some of the graduations and have always gotten a standing ovation. That was very cool.

Why Pinnacle works:
I like the fact that our courses are always available.

What would students be surprised to know about you?
To students, parents and other teachers I think I come across as a rather quiet, dignified individual, but I’m actually one of the rowdiest, funniest, loudest people you could ever meet.

Other interests:
I spent a lot of time in the oil industry, where I applied a lot of science and math. I have done most of the things that the science books talk about; I have used chemistry, algebra, laws of physics and other classroom lessons in actual situations.

Other interests:
I love to travel and meet people. I came very close to doing stand-up comedy at one time, and still think about it from time to time.