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Mr. Read graduated from Antioch College with a BA degree
in Business Education. Some of his co-op jobs while at Antioch included teaching in summer and school camps in Ohio, California,
and New England.
Following graduation, he had a two-year assignment with the U.S. Army in Germany. When
he returned to civilian life, he married a German girl he had met while stationed in Hanau. They settled in Novato, CA, where he
began teaching physical science and guitar classes full time at Hill Jr. High.
A few years later, he assisted in designing the science
classrooms in a new middle school called Sinaloa. When it was completed he transferred to it as the Science Dept. Chairman,
and taught science, guitar, family life, a gifted student class, and an after school aeronautics class.
He and his wife, Renate, had 3 children, two boys,
and a girl. In the early 1970's they moved to a mini ranch in Sebastopol, CA. where the children had all the experiences involved
with the raising many different animals, and planting and harvesting crops from their own garden. It was a back to nature
experience for the family.
After 17 years as a dedicated teacher, he and his family
moved to Hopkinton, MA. when his father called for help in managing a small family business. Mr. Read was elected CEO, and
oversaw the operation of the wholesale costume jewelry company for the next 20 years. In 1996, after turning the control
of the company over to his son, he and his wife returned to CA. where he became a dependable substitute teacher in Vista,
near San Diego.
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As a Full Time Teacher
His teaching responsibilities included Physical Science, Family life, Elective Guitar classes, a science
program for the gifted, and an after school aeronautics club. He was also a teacher/director for a Summer School Conservation
class that was a multi grade level program for students in the 4th through 11th grades. He wrote the syllabus for the program
for the State of California so other districts could create similar programs. Mr. Read also took many post graduate classes
at UC Berkeley, Sonoma State and Dominican College.
As an Entertainer
Mr. Read, aka Ruff Read, learned to play the acoustical guitar and sing folk, country, and pop songs
while in college. Summertime jobs as a counselor or program director at children's camps in New England, Ohio, and California
gave him many opportunities to share music around campfires with campers and staff.
While in Germany,
he often entertained the troops as part of the USO program.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, he performed for both public and private functions.
Some venues included on KGO-TV, the Circle Star Theater, and for 20th Century Fox in Oakland, CA. He was also the master
of ceremonies for the local Junior Miss Pageants in Novato, CA. He has written many songs, and organized a folk group called
the Redwood Travelers who performed in the Bay Area.
In his spare time, he gave private
guitar and singing lessons to many children and adults.
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As a Substitute Teacher
Mr. Read has substituted for many teachers in the Vista Unified School District, covering many different
levels and subjects. He established an excellent reputation as a dependable sub with good classroom management skills. He
frequently had his teaching assignments booked two months ahead.
When he heard other substitute teachers
complaining about not having any guides or good instructions to help with the very difficult job of substitute teaching, he
took up the challenge and created a Substitute Teacher's Guide. He used suggestions from other teachers, administrators, and
even the students.
It is a 38 page book that is filled with practical tips, ideas, and suggestions
that will make a sub's life in the classroom much easier. His guide, with updates and revisions, continues to receive
positive reviews from teachers and administrators. It is now available in a PDF version, at reduced cost, that can be
Emailed anywhere in the world.
Although Mr. Read is now retired, he continues to enjoy the classroom
atmosphere, and keeping up with the changes in the curricula. He also mentors other new subs and teachers on line.
Partial Table of Contents-->
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