Secondary Science
Bishop Miege High School 1981
B.S. Biology – Newman University 1985
A.S. Computer Information Systems – 1986
M.S. Biology – Emporia State University
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 6th 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.