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SAU Tech Multimedia
Web Design & Development
Instructor Bio

MULTIMEDIA INSTRUCTOR
STILL CHAMP!

SAU Tech Press Release
SAU Tech Spring Fling 2006

Having a history of eliminating eager student challengers, SAU Tech Multimedia Instructor John Rockwell took on one after another challenger at this year's Spring Fling Home Run Derby Championship.

After approximately 250 pitches, through countless challengers, a complete anhialation of the vast majority of challengers had occured. Numerous arm chair sluggers were heard to say "how does he do it -- he's a Multimedia geek?". Fact is, some of us are talented in many ways and don't bring it out until absolutely necessary!

Rockwell's only comment was "age can be deceiving ya'll! We had so many free giveaway's at this years SAU Tech Spring Fling for the winners, but very few seemed to have the ability -- even when I hit left-handed -- I felt for them and started offering to play rock, paper, scissors!". Next year's event promises to be more of the same.

All kidding aside, John is a family-oriented guy, fun-loving, yet highly professional Instructor with an extremely diverse range of experience in the field.

One of the few "Yankee's" on the staff, John excels at messing up southern words. It all started when he moved down from the frozen tundra of Minnesota about four years ago to start a brand new program in the Multimedia Department -- Web Design & Development. Baseball was his dream, but life's changes and computers caught his fancy (way back when!) -- go figure, geek/jock -- thought they never mixed!

Approximately 20 years ago, he was coding, modifying and wreaking havoc with BBS (Bulletin Board System) applications on Apple //, //e and //c platforms at about 300 baud -- probably before many of his students were even born. This passion for instructional interaction between machines has fascinated him for years -- the Internet and client/server communication was a natural progression -- his LOGICAL side. Having a mother who was extremely talented with athletics and music and a father who was also musically gifted and an Architect and Artist helped to develop his CREATIVE, team-oriented style.

A career in the U.S. Air Force taught John the value of that teamwork and leadership. While serving, he rose through the ranks quickly and qualified as an Instructor and Flight Examiner. These years helped to formulate his classroom techniques (no, he isn't going to have you do push-up's if you miss a question in class!). John received the top two honors in an Air Force Leadership School in Biloxi, MS with approximately 80 students under his charge as Class President.

John has been awarded as a Who's Who of American Teachers three times since arriving at Tech as-well-as a NISOD award for Teaching Excellence. He holds a degree in Operations.

Most recently, he was selected as a principal judge and technical co-chair in the Arkansas SkillsUSA State Leadership Conference Web Design & Development Contest held in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Additionally, John speaks on various topics related to his program at East Conferences and on recruiting visits to High Schools around the state.

John has developed websites for local and national customers. His most recent experience was as a private consultant (Project Manager/Developer/Designer) for a national sports-related television show (website) on the Outdoor Life Network. As time permits, he stays current in his field with practical experience -- a huge relevancy benefit to students going into a field that is constantly changing.