USD 360

            Derby High School 1990 – 1999

            Mulvane High School 1999 – 2006

            Wichita North High School – 2006 – 2014

            Derby High School – 2014 – 2019

            Bishop Carroll High – 2019 – 2020

Married to Jamie Welch for 35 years. My wife Jamie is currently a 6^th Grade Science Teacher at Derby Middle School. I have three daughters, Ashley, Kourtney, and Haley.  Ashley attended Emporia State University and obtained a B.S. Health Promotion.  Kourtney attended KU and obtained a B.S. in Architecture Studies and a B.S. in Environmental Studies.  Haley attended Friends University and obtained a B.S. in Biology Education.  I have one two year-old granddaughter – Paisley Freking.   

I have been teaching for 30 years.  I consider myself a field biologist but have a strong interest in biotechnology.  I spent the summer of 2009 in Costa Rico doing an RET Research Toxicology Project with Red-Eyed Tree frogs.  Most of my research activities involve high school students doing real research.  I love learning new things in science.  I am a member of the KABT (Kansas Association of Biology Teachers), KHS (Kansas Herpetological Society), and I am currently a lead teacher with Kansas Corn (Seed2STEM) creating labs for middle and high school teachers.  I have been teaching mainly Biology, AP Biology, AP Environmental Science, Physical Science, Chemistry, and Biomedical Science at the various schools I have taught at.  I have many research interests: Bat Acoustical Studies, Freshwater Mussel Studies, Reptile Studies, Freshwater Fish Studies, and Insect Studies – in all of these studies I attempt to introduce students to real research.