this page maintained by Stef Mendoza
Bio
My name is Jim Snyder and I have worked for the district for the past 7 years. I received my BA in Music Composition and Performance from UC San Diego, where I originally enrolled to study aerospace engineering. After deciding that I would rather pursue my passion for music than build airplanes, I switched to pursue a degree in music. For the next four years I studied classical and jazz contrabass performance, digital audio recording, North Indian classical music, and both traditional western and electronic music composition.
After graduating, I returned to Northern California and did what many liberal art majors without jobs do after college: I became a substitute teacher. I moved to the Anderson Valley in 2000 and worked as a substitute and summer school teacher for several years before joining the staff at AVHS as a Special Education Instructional Assistant three years ago. This year I am splitting my time between Special Education, teaching one period of Calculus and two periods of Audio Technology, while concurrently completing my single subject mathematics credential through Western Governors University and earning a certificate in Recording Engineering through the City & Guilds Institute of London (via online education). I am currently engaged and the proud father of an amazing six-year-old daughter who I enjoy spending all my free time with.