About Steve Young

I was born in 1953 at the Presidio in San Francisco, California. The second child of Maj. John and Bette Jane Young, I was enthusiastically welcomed by my only sibling - brother Dana, six years my senior. After my dad retired from the Army he still had a touch of the wanderlust so we spent the next few years exploring Wyoming and Colorado. In 1963 we settled in Durango where Dana and I spent our days climbing trees, skipping stones across the Animas River, and exploring the La Plata mountains, which were our backyard.

In the late 1960s my parents moved back to the Bay area of California where I finished high school then went off to college, enrolling at California State University in Fresno. I majored in Mass Communications - a combination of English, Theater Arts and the technical aspects of radio, television and film production. I had those typical, youthful aspirations of becoming a ‘rich and famous’ script writer and filmmaker. Upon graduation I partnered with a local film production company and spent the next several years writing, producing and filming documentaries and television commercials.

A combination of the reality of parenthood and a souring economy in the early ‘80s guided my decision to return to school to obtain my teaching credential. The birth of my daughter, Dana (named for my late brother) in 1983 cemented my decision to opt for the stability of teaching over the uncertain world of the arts. I began as a classroom teacher at the same time computers were first being introduced to the public, in general, and schools. I have always had an affinity for machines and gadgets so I soon transitioned from ‘traditional’ teaching to working with technology in education; the best decision ever!

Within a year I was the Technology Teacher/Coordinator for a small high school; teaching programming in a lab and setting up local area networks. As technology evolved and became more affordable, the District purchased classroom computers and I, seeing the need, began writing record-keeping and database programs for teachers. By the early '90s I was assisting with technology District-wide and speaking at regional and state conferences. It was at this time I began teaching summer and weekend seminars at Fresno Pacific University (then Fresno Pacific College) on integrating technology in to the classroom. Through membership in CTAP (California Technology Assistance Project) amd CUE (Computer Using Educators), I also provided professional development, planning, and implementation assistance to help schools utilize technology to support teaching and learning.

I am retired after more than 30 years of service to Madera Unified School District. With my ‘extra’ time, I am developing new courses for Fresno Pacific. My late wife Becky and I enjoyed interacting with teachers from all over the country - we traveled across the US on Amtrak and already logged over 10,000 miles riding the rails, making whistle stops at many of your hometowns.

Using Steadicam during the filming of a commercial for a regional television station. My film work (mostly as a cameraman) took me across the US and Canada.
Becky and I on our wedding day. We worked together closely researching, developing and refining the courses.
Working on an early (circa 1990) school-wide network. I have done everything from splicing and laying wire to server installation and administration.
My daughter Dana and I scuba diving in Hawaii.
Visiting my hometown of Durango, Colorado. Behind me is the Animas River where my brother and I fished when I was growing up.
Receiving the California Golden Bell Award in San Francisco for an exemplary program in technology with Madera Unified board trustees (front row) and fellow Tech Coach George Beckman.
Visiting the St. Louis Arch with Becky - a day trip from Indianapolis after attending the Indy 500.
Working at my home office.