About Us
I love learning, teaching, being in nature, and exploring different possibilities. I strive to see the world not just as it is, but as it could be.
I'm an informed and engaged citizen, and I have dedicated my adult life to advancing causes I'm passionate about that bring about positive change for people and the living Earth. I’ve always been actively involved in my local community, served six years in the Army National Guard, and was a US Forest Service firefighter.
Born in Chicago and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, I graduated from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, with a degree in ornamental horticulture, and then worked in the landscape construction and nursery industries.
Following this, I earned a Master's degree in urban planning from the University of Arizona and then moved to California, where I spent 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 American Planning Association's National 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, teaching creativity through 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.
PHIL BLOCK
BETTY BLOCK
I love learning, teaching, international traveling, and outdoor adventures.
I was born at the 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, with a degree in biology, earned my California teaching credential, and began my public school teaching career. Later, I earned a Master's degree in science education from Fresno Pacific University.
During my teaching career, I mentored student teachers and assisted many new teachers to 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 was 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 to a nearby state park with hiking trails along the Pacific Ocean were a school-year highlight for both the students and me. Often, many 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.