About the author
About the Author, F.W. Brooks
A few years after I had graduated from college, after having putzed around with several odd jobs, the writing on the wall became large, legible, and blindingly fluorescent. I came to the realization that the only way I could fully utilize my B.S. degree in Mathematics was to become a math teacher. (No pun intended in regards to the initials, B.S.)
So, after forking over thousands of dollars to a local college, and after jumping through what seemed like countless circus-hoops to obtain a teacher's certification, I got what I wished for. In the fall of 1995, at eight o'clock in the morning, I found myself standing in front of thirty freshmen, eager to begin their high school experience in my first hour Algebra class.
During my tenure as a teacher, very little has remained constant. Superintendents, principals, guidance counselors, and fellow teachers have all come and gone like days on the calendar. 'Educational buzzwords' and 'popular methods of instruction' seem to change every three months. But through it all, one thing has remained constant. When working with pimply-faced, hormone-laden adolescents trying to find their way in the world, every day is guaranteed to be an eventful one. After all, what else is there to expect when it comes to awkward teens dealing with varying degrees of puppy love, lust, infatuation, acceptance, inclusion, exclusion, betrayal, disappointment, heartbreak, confusion, high expectations, and uncertainty. Whew! And that’s only the tip of the iceberg - trust me! Anyone who has a teenage daughter knows exactly what I’m talking about.
The high school scene is like a soap opera. It makes for an excellent backdrop. But don’t let that fool you. The high school scene is only the backdrop. I write Adult Fiction. My stories involve adults dealing with adult issues – doing adult things. Many of my main characters are teachers, principals, guidance counselors, or other adults who are in some capacity involved in education.
Although my occupation is teaching, my “occu-passion” is writing. As a writer, I draw upon my experiences as an educator to create humorous, compelling, and highly entertaining novels that involve ordinary people, mainly teachers, thrown into crazy and bizarre situations.
I currently reside in the Milwaukee area with my wife, kids, cat, and several African Cichlids.