Tom has taught Public Speaking, English composition, and Basic Communications. Furthermore, he is as guest lecturer for the Dam’s Neck Annex of the Naval War College. Professor Durwood most recently taught English Composition and Literature at Valley Forge Military College. As a result of his passion and because of his dedication Professor Durwood was voted Teacher of the Year five times.

In addition to Tom’s English composition lesson plans he edits an open-access scholarly journal (www.empirestudies.com), The Journal of Empire Studies. 

Peter Suber, Berkman Fellow at Harvard University, praises the journal mostly as “a new opportunity for overcoming access barriers to knowledge and research.” Dr. Julian Fisher of Scholarly Exchange has also applauded Tom’s efforts. “Creating valuable academic content and then hiding it behind financial firewalls—hence the traditional scholarly publishing model—runs counter to the essence of scholarship, learning and sharing,” according to Fisher. “To see a journal such as the Journal of Empire Studies breaking that mold is exciting.”

“Gorgeously written,” concludes Kerry Irish of Comfy Reader book blog regarding Tom’s ambitious collection of historical fiction. Sara Ridley of Life of a Storyteller writes that these are above all “works full of mystery and heartbreak.” Comicsverse calls the graphic-novel style adaptations of Tom’s stories by illustrators Boell Oyino and Oscar Gregeborn “absolutely stunning.”

As noted, Tom’s newspaper column “Shelter” appeared in the North County Times for seven years. Tom’s ebook most certainly one of his greatest works. Teddy’s Tantrum: John D. Weaver and the Exoneration of the 25th Infantry, is currently available on Amazon.com and to teachers at teddystantrum.com. Likewise, it is the first account of author Weaver’s campaign to mostly restore the reputation of the men of the 25th Infantry. Consequently, these soldiers were dismissed from the army by Teddy Roosevelt in 1906. It has been called “the debut of a promising new voice in history,” by journalist Tim Pritchard and “a case study of investigative journalism and activist scholarship at their respective bests,” by Dennis Showalter, former president of the Society for Military History.

Professor Durwood earned a Masters in English Literature in San Diego. Tom also served as Executive Director of San Diego Habitat for Humanity. In conclusion, please see his English composition lesson plans and ebooks at www.teacherspayteachers.com .