ABOUT
Augustine is quoted as saying, "Love God and do what you want." I believe that God gives each one gifts, and in his wisdom, the exercise of those gifts provides us with great satisfaction and joy. In addition, as one sets his heart on the creator, his desires conform to those of his Lord. Thus, "do[ing] what you want," grows out of love for God. My goal is to do the things I enjoy and follow the passions that God has given me.
I enjoy studying and learning, making connections, and marveling at the mystery and complexity of God's world. There is so much I want to know. Following the completion of my doctorate, I am reading broadly, learning Italian, practicing my trumpet, and practicing biblical Hebrew calligraphy. I am a learner.
I enjoy teaching. I get pleasure from watching my students "get it." I take the opportunities I can to teach teachers, lead workshops, speak to parents, and teach in church. After 19 years in school administration I returned to the classroom ten years ago. I enjoy leading rich discussions in Philosophy of Education, Ethics, Church History, and Apologetics. I am a teacher.
I enjoy reading. My all time favorites are J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis. Since completing my doctorate I seem to be making up for lost time. New favorites include Issac Asimov, Tim Keller, Herman Melville, Jules Verne, Ellis Peters, Wendell Berry, P. G. Wodehouse, Patrick Lencioni, and Dorothy Sayers. I have begun working through the Great Books. I am a reader.
I enjoy writing. One seminary professor evaluated our work on whether it was "clear, cogent, and profound." That was a significant lesson in my academic preparation and it greatly improved my written expression. I am still working at it. I am a writer.
I enjoy using technology. My first computer was a 1984 "transportable" Kaypro. With its CP/M operating system and dual 5 ¼" floppy drives we ran Wordstar, Supercalc, dBase II, and Basic, and with its built-in 300 baud modem we could communicate around the world in the days before the World Wide Web. The use of technology is essential. I make use of almost all web tools available to me. I am a geek.
I enjoy working with my hands, especially in wood and clay, but I'm pretty handy around the house too. Ask me sometime and I'll talk your ear off about some of my favorite projects. I am a craftsman.
I enjoy my family. Laura and I are blessed to have our three sons living in the Seattle area. All three are married, and we are blessed with wonderful, godly daughters-in-law. Our family stays connected in many ways, from sharing a meal at least one Sunday a month, to sleepovers with our grandchildren, to working on cars with two sons, or building a dining room table with one. Laura and I enjoy candlelight, talking over dessert in a nice restaurant, and a watching a good movie. I like to cook and eat. I am a husband, a father, and a grandfather.
My hope is to explore, with integrity, the place where my faith, the culture, and the educational enterprise intersect. My goal is to know Christ, to exercise faith and experience grace as a husband, father, leader, educator, and student. I am a disciple.
RESUME
Download full resume here.
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PAPERS
Follow this link for a selection of papers I have authored on a variety of topics including Christian schooling, philosophy of Christian education, Christian ethics, the integration of faith and learning, and character formation.
PHOTOS
CONTACT
dribera@bellevuechristian.org
21 228th St SE
Bothell, WA 98021
(206) 795-1741