Welcome! I am "TO" Branham, the new Fire Science pathway teacher here at Eastside. The TO means "Training Officer" and it's what students call me. It may seem like a odd name, but fire recruits in training call their instructors "TO". Teaching Fire Science in a career and technical education center means we keep it real-world here at Eastside.

I decided to teach Fire Science to impact and assist the next generation of firefighters and I am eager to meet our students. This will be an exciting year as I grow along with my fire students.

I would like my students and their families to know I am a recently-retired Lexington Fire Fighter. My wife, Casey, and I have four children, and I enjoy coaching baseball.

Years at Eastside: This is my first year at Eastside!

Work History: 18-year veteran of the Lexington Fire Department

Hometown: Lexington, Kentucky

Family: Spouse (Casey); Children (Cade, Collin, Caleb, Caroline)

Pets: Two dogs (Kimber and Belle)

Hobbies: Coaching baseball, golfing, and traveling 

Fun Fact: My baseball team played in a World Series in Florida this summer. 

3 Words That Describe You: Outgoing, Helpful, Hard Worker

Cats or Cardinals: Cats 1,000,000,000%

Pet Peeve: Car must be backed in!

Hero: Ken Griffey Jr.

Favorite Book: Prefer music and talk radio in my downtime. 

Best piece of advice: Stay positive! 

When I am alone I...: Listen to music and do carpentry.

The best part of waking up is:  Drinking copious amounts of COFFEE!