Douglas Anke:
CLASS OF 1986
North Allegheny High SchoolClass of 1986
Wexford, PA
West Virginia University - EducationClass of 1990
Morgantown, WV
Douglas's Story
After bouncing around the 'Burgh after getting my Bachelors in English Education from WVU, I took a hitch with the US Peace Corps in the Republic of Yemen in the middle east for a couple of years (from 7/92-5/94). I jumped right into the Arabic language and soon was teaching, writing English textbooks, and illustrating/editing/writing columns/doing layouts for both the Peace Corps newsletter and a local English language newspaper. I've never been so busy in all my life...or more productive.
I came home early due to a civil war, which cut short my plans to travel, though I did see Egypt (Cairo) on the way, but a new opportunity arose quickly. Inside of five months of my return to the USA, I took a private contract to teach English on a Kuwaiti airbase. My language skills came in handy there, but I have to say that Kuwait is pretty much the armpit of the universe. All it provided me with was an opportunity to learn how to make wine from scratch and the cash required to travel around the world.
I did just that. I traveled around Europe while on vacations from Kuwait (escapes). Then, when I finally left in October of 95, I spent over a month getting back to the States by way of Asia... circumnavigating the globe ultimately. I stopped in India, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Korea before seeing American sho...Expand for more
res again. It was spectacular.
Since returning, I have settled down, so to speak. I got a full time teaching job at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 1997 and have become one of the "old guard" so to speak in the English Department there. I obtained my Master's Degree in Education from IUP in 2004 to cement myself in that position. At some point in this decade, I will begin work on a PhD, but I still need to prepare for that. Teaching college English at AIP is intriguing work and I enjoy it immensely. In 2005, I married a beautiful lady named Robin. We now have a young son, Stephen, and are hoping for another child someday... hopefully sooner than later. Time flies when you're happy, and I can certainly claim that blessing.
I still sing, read voraciously, write poetry-fiction-nonfiction, play video games (PC and console), mess around with computers (obviously), make wine and mead, collect swords and other bladed weapons from around the world, and take part in French and Indian War reenactments. Of course, now I also spend time with my growing family. It's a rich life, even if I don't make a mint. Money isn't everything...but it would sure help out sometimes. Time will tell if I write the great American novel and hit it big, but I won't be unhappy waiting in the meantime. Best of luck to all of my colleagues.
Register for Free to view all details!
Yearbooks
Register for Free to view all yearbooks!
Reunions
Photos
