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Rufus King International School uses the International Baccalaureate model to create rigorous academic and educational experiences.  We emphasize inquiry, critical thinking, and self-reflection through student-centered learning.  We develop innovative, principled, well-rounded and insightful leaders who embrace diversity and contribute to the betterment of their local and global communities.
Biel, Thomas
English

Address:
Room 203

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Telephone: 267-0872

Information: Tom Biel has been teaching high school English for 25 years. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Montana in 1980, taking the long route through school, because college was a lot cheaper then than it is now. He felt like there was no real rush. Along with his college education, Tom traveled, mostly around the US and Europe. He began his teaching career in small town Montana, where one year he had five different preps, supervised the yearbook, coached tennis, and directed two all school drama productions. He also had to drive the bus to those tennis meets. Things got a little easier after that, but for a break after nine years of teaching, Tom went to the University of Northern Colorado where he earned his Masters degree in literature. When he returned to secondary teaching, he decided to teach abroad. His first school was an American school in San Jose, Costa Rica where he taught for three years. Continuing south, Tom taught at one of the International schools in Quito, Ecuador. While there, he met Lena Hallman, from Wauwatosa, and the rest is history, as they say. Tom and Lena settled in Milwaukee, married, had two sons, Julius and Leo. Tom has taught in MPS for eleven years, nine at Rufus King. He teaches literature because he loves language and the power of stories as an essential interpreter of the human experience. He also loves sports. He’ll watch anything but enjoys playing tennis. As an English teacher, Tom also writes, obviously not for a living. He does believe that practicing the art of writing helps make him an effective writing teacher. He has had some success with writing plays which have been produced and has published short stories, though his book length collection of short stories is unpublished, as of now. What he wants people to know about him as a teacher is quite simple: he is dedicated to the idea that by being better readers and writers, by studying the best of literature, we become better thinkers. By being better thinkers, we become less likely to be intolerant, closed minded, and oppressive. Therefore, the power of knowledge is truly where power lies for a more peaceful world. As a teacher, he is proud of being able to contribute toward that end.