Greetings from Mr. Warren!

Here's a little bit about my family.

My son Tomm is 36 years old. He helps manage a restaurant. He lives near St. Louis. He and his wife had a baby son in July 2009, who died shortly after being born. Their daughter was born in November 2010.	My daughter Paige is 28 years old. She is an administrative assistant and grant reviewer for a consulting firm in southern Illinois.

I was born in southern Michigan, but have lived in Illinois since I was about 6 months old. I attended grade schools in Dana and Minonk, IL, and graduated from Minonk-Dana-Rutland High School in 1971.  During high school I was involved in baseball, Science Club, and drama, was frequently on the honor roll and was an Illinois State Scholar.

I received my bachelor's degree from Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois in 1975. (Blackburn is nationally known for its student work program, where all resident students are required to work on campus as part of their room & board.) While at Blackburn I ran track, played intramural sports, was an Assistant Work Program Department Head, was on the Dean's List, and was Executive Secretary of my Senior Class. During the summers I worked at Interlake Steel in Pontiac, IL to help pay for my college. In 1981, I earned a Master's Degree from the University of Illinois.

I have been an educator since 1975, having served at various times as a teacher, a coach, and a principal.  I retired as a full-time educator in June of 2013. All of my teaching experience (38 years) has been in Illinois. In 1989, while working for Tonica Schools, I received a LaSalle County Outstanding Educator Award. In 2003, as a fifth grade teacher at Putnam County Schools, I was named a Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year.

My volunteer experience includes past assistance working with Tiger Cub scouts, being a Little League coach, and serving as a Sunday School teacher. Presently, I regularly volunteer at Public Action to Deliver Shelter (P.A.D.S.), the area homeless shelter, during the winter months. I have also assisted with the fourth grade field trips to the LaSalle County Historical Museum and Aitken School (one-room schoolhouse) in Utica, Illinois.

I believe that learning is a life-long process and I continually strive to expand my horizons. My hobbies and interests include reading, hiking, enjoying music, and working on several websites for school, family, and church. One of my favorite activities is hiking the trails in the area state parks with the Starved Rock Walkers' Club. We hike every Thursday morning, year-round. The ice falls in Starved Rock State Park during the winter are absolutely beautiful!

I am especially proud of my mother, who became a published novelist for the first time at the age of 78. Following a stroke, she resumed her writing and completed a second and a third novel, although only her first book has been published. Unfortunately, her health has deteriorated to the point where she is not now able to continue her writing, although she still enjoys reading on occasion.

My father, who is no longer alive, was a semi-professional boxer when he was younger, and worked as a lineman and cable splicer for the telephone company for many years.

I have two brothers and three sisters, and several nieces and nephews.