AUSTIN MICHAEL DuBOIS VENTURINI SIMCOX holds an MS degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University and a BS degree in Teaching Social Sciences from Brigham Young University. He grew up on the other side of the country in Columbus, Ohio and now lives in Provo (much to his surprise) with his cats and assortment of house plants. At home, he enjoys video games, good books, cooking, and crocheting. Although he’s usually a homebody, you may occasionally see him on the stage in a community theatre production or in a local coffee shop planning his summer travels. Austin believes in making school a safe place for students to have new experiences, integrate their interests into the curriculum, and experiment with the complexities of community. He strives to create an open, inquisitive classroom.