He previously taught in the Texas public school system for 24 years. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and received his B.A. in History. He later returned and attained his teacher certification. Joe is active in the Texas Council for Social Studies and has served on numerous policy committees at the district, regional, and state levels. He is currently developing new opportunities for UTeach-LA students to serve as mentors and tutors for a new method for teaching the HIS 315L class, in association with Dr. Restad in the History Department.