About Us
PHIL BLOCK
I love learning, teaching, being in nature and exploring different possibilities.
I'm an informed and engaged citizen, and I have dedicated my adult life to advancing causes that I'm passionate about and that bring about positive changes for people and nature. I’ve always been actively involved in my local community and served six years in the Army National Guard.
Born in Chicago and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, I went on to graduate from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in ornamental horticulture and then worked in the landscape construction and nursery industry.
Following this, I received a Master's degree in urban planning from the University of Arizona and then moved to California to spend 20 years as the City of Merced’s planning director. During that time, my staff and I received many California American Planning Association awards for our city planning work. This included, being nominated for the national American Planning Association Public Education Award. I also earned a Master's degree in public administration from California State University, Stanislaus.
The rest of my city planning career was spent doing contract city planning work in Northern and Southern California, as well as, several years in New Mexico. I also spent time developing my K-12 Design Program in which I taught architecture, landscape architecture and city planning in public schools.
Unfortunately, my future plans came to an end in 2008, when I was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), a progressive neurodegenerative disease, and was told I had about 3 years to live. Click on the Phil’s ALS Journey link to learn more about my wellness and healing journey.
I live with my wife Betty in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
BETTY BLOCK
I love learning, teaching, international traveling and outdoor adventures.
I was born in a Miami Beach Florida Naval Hospital. My mother and I moved to San Diego and eventually to Merced, in California's Central Valley, where my father joined us following his post World War II college classes.
After being raised in Merced, I graduated from California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo in biology and went on to earn my California teaching credential and start my public school teaching career. Later, I earned a science education Master's degree from Fresno Pacific University.
During my teaching career, I mentored student teachers and assisted many new teachers get their feet on the ground. This was done both informally and as part of the school district’s teacher mentor program.
After 38 years as a public school 3rd grade classroom teacher, I retired in 2008. All my teaching, except my first year of teaching in Santa Ynez, was done in Merced. Each school year was special for me, and I did my best to make each year the best learning experience possible for my students.
During those years, I taught many second language learners how to read and write. One of my most memorable experiences was attending the graduation ceremony of a former student who was graduating from the University of California, Berkley with a double major. Her family were Southeast Asian refugees from the Vietnam War with very limited English language skills, and here she was graduating from a top university.
Our annual classroom trips to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and a nearby state park with hiking trails along the Pacific Ocean were a school year highlight for both the students and me. Often a number of the students had never seen the ocean before, let alone a sea otter or had the opportunity to take a hike in such a spectacular location.
I live with my husband Phil in Santa Fe, New Mexico.