Dr. John Becker has combined careers in education, wildlife conservation, writing, and speaking. While an undergraduate, he played ice hockey, and was an alternate captain on Ohio State’s first varsity hockey team. He received his Bachelor’s degree in 1964 from The Ohio State University in the field of physical education, and taught in the elementary schools of Pontiac, Michigan. After returning to Ohio State and receiving his Master’s and Ph.D. degrees, he taught at Macalester College, where he also served as head coach of the ice hockey team. In 1971 he became an assistant professor at the University of Florida in the teacher education program.

In 1978, Dr. Becker became an administrator of the Columbus, Ohio, Zoo and worked at the zoo for nine years. In 1986, he was named Director of Program Development for Coastal American Field Studies. He then became a consultant with The Wilds, a 9000 acre endangered wildlife preserve in Ohio. In 1988, he was a founder, and Executive Director, of the International Society for Endangered Cats (ISEC). He served in that capacity for seven years.

Since 1978, Dr. Becker has given over 2,500 presentations across the United States and Canada. The majority of the presentations have been at elementary schools, but he has also spoken at 45 zoos and nature centers, given papers at 15 zoological conferences, spoken at over 30 colleges and universities, and has been a presenter at several writer’s conferences.

Dr. Becker published a fictional picture book, Mugambi’s Journey, with Gingham Dog Press in 2005. He has also written a series of nonfiction books for children entitled “Returning Wildlife” for KidHaven Press. Books in the series include; North American River Otters, North American Beavers, Bats, Bald Eagles, Wild Turkeys, The North American Bison, Manatees, Florida Panthers, Grizzly Bears, Gray Wolves, American Alligators, Green Sea Turtles, California Condors, Gray Whales, and Northern Elephant Seals. He has also written a series of nonfiction children’s books for Seedling Publications including; Cheetahs, Hawks, Snow Leopards, Camels, Kangaroos, Giraffes, Owls, and Scarlet Macaws. He also co-authored a college textbook, Perceptual-Motor Learning - Theory and Practice, for Peek Publications. He has written for Highlights For Children, Hopscotch For Girls, Wild Outdoor World, Chickadee, Animals, Boys’ Life, Georgia Wildlife, ZooLife, and Wildlife Conservation magazines.

Dr. Becker is now a full-time freelance writer. He teaches writing at the Thurber Writing Academy. He is also an artist with the Greater Columbus Arts Council’s “Artist-in-Schools” program, and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

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