Born in California while his parents were traveling there, Jim is a third generation Gregory from the mountains of Tennessee.

Jim has experienced much during his lifetime and his qualifications are many and diverse as is evidenced by the short bio that follows.

 

Educational

B.A. - Social Studies Ed
University of West Florida Pensacola, Florida GPA 3.68

Graduate Credits
University of South Florida and The University of Florida

T.E.C. Classes
The University of Florida

The University of Miami

Florida International University

In excess of 600 points

 

Teaching

Over a quarter century experience in Florida. Retiring 6/5/07

18 Yrs. High School Level

18 Yrs. Middle School Level

8 Years Team Planning and teaching in the "Student at Risk Program"

Currently teaching regular and advanced classes in Social Studies.and 5 years of classes in
Speech and Debate

Taught 4 seasons of Drama For Children and Adults at the Brandon

Community Theater in Brandon, Florida Sponsor of the Asian-American Federation at JFK Middle School

Awards and Accomplishments

Debate Coach of the Year
1995-1996 - Dade County Speech and Debate Association

Chairperson JFK Middle School Faculty
Three Consecutive Years

Mainstreaming Teacher of the Year
1985-1986 - Participated in planning and establishing the Student at Risk Program JFK
Middle School

Instrumental in obtaining a Coach of a middle school debate team competing on a secondary level.

GED Adult Education Program Edison Senior High School Taught for 1 year guitar
2 years of art

Directed three stage plays at Brandon Community Theater

Professional Storyteller Miami Storytellers Guild Past President

 

Theatrical

Cast Member & Creative Writer WLRN Radio Pandemonium Midnight Uprising

Lead roles in 12 stage plays and five musicals

Appeared in 5 major motion pictures

Three National and ten local commercials

Appeared in one Miami Vice episode

Voice dubbed for a major character in a Brazilian soap opera

Lead role in an episode of nationally syndicated public TV series "The Money Puzzle"

 

Additionally

Haitian American Community Association, I worked with Senator Laughton Childs to insure that the Florida Dept. of Labor enforced a State Law in such a way that it opened more than fifteen thousand job opportunities in the sugar cane industry to the local population.

Member of the Board of Directors of the Haitian Community Association of Dade County for three years. Secretary for one year.

Arranged for free eye examinations and glasses for over three hundred Haitian school children.

Instructor and member of the Board of Directors for The Miami Lapidary Guild
Raised and trained Quarter horses for the show ring, performance ring and race equestrian team and taught competition, show and trail riding for five years.

Organization and Association Memberships

Master Mason Village Lodge #315 - Miami Shores, Florida

Oconee Lodge #427 - Bryson City, North Carolina

Lions Club - Miami Shores, Florida Bryson City, North Carolina

Shorecrest Home Owners Association - Director

Miami Storytellers Guild - President - Board Member

Florida Storytellers Association - Member for 12 years, Elected to the Board of Directors in 2006

National Council for Social Studies

Historical Museum of Southern Florida

Dade County Council for Social Studies

National Wildlife Association

Scottish Rite, York Rite and Shrine of Freemasonry - Valley of Miami and the Miami Shrine

Presbyterian Churches - Miami Shores, Florida - Bryson City, North Carolina

Asian-American Federation of South Florida - Newsletter Editor

Magic City Conjurers - Honorary Board Member - Advisor