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Biography - Tom Hacker
I am originally from Redondo Beach California. I started my path of higher education at El Camino Community College. I transferred to San Diego State as a Junior and received a Bachelors of Science in Health Science. I then joined the Peace Corps and taught biology for two years in Fiji at an Eastern Indian school (Mulomulo Secondary). While in Peace Corps I met my wife, who was also a volunteer. Upon leaving Fiji we both received fellowships to further our education. I attended George Washington University working on a Master's of Education. While in Grad school I was assigned to teach special education at Northwestern High School in Prince George's County Maryland. After receiving my degree, and two harsh Winters in Maryland, my wife and I decided to return to Southern California. In 1997 I applied to PUSD and was hired, by Principal Scott Fisher, to teach special education at Mount Carmel High School. In 2006, after thirteen years of teaching I was ready for a change. I decided to transition to counseling because I enjoy helping motivate young adults to do their best, and help them chart a course for their future. My wife and I will celebrate our twelfth anniversary in September. We have two wonderful children, an eight year old daughter, Hannah, and a six year old son Zach. I am thrilled to be at Poway High School and hope to help improve an already outstanding counseling team.