John has worked in human services for most of the last 35 years, as a Junior High School teacher, a prefect in a “reform school,” and direct care staff in group homes for children with emotional disturbances. He worked for many years as program director of group homes for adolescents and adults with intellectual disabilities, autism and other developmental disabilities, and also directed a residential rehabilitation program for adolescents and adults with severe traumatic brain injuries. He is very knowledgeable about school law, and especially the rules governing special education services, having consulted with the Idaho Department of Education mediating disputes between parents and school districts across the state. He also has “real world” work experience as a police officer and an over-the-road truck driver. He has been a foster parent, and is the proud father of a very happy young woman with a development disability.