A personal, then professional, insight into who I am.

I would also be remissed if I didn't reiterate and note my fandom and love for college athletics, specifically football. From a young age when close friend John "JT" Thomas (shoutout JT) was Penn State's strength coach, I have bled Blue and White. Probably too much so. My family would visit the Thomas's in State College yearly prior to his departure in 2012. I have attended games with my dad, and occasionally mom if we can persuade her, for most of my life and may be the biggest Penn State fan I know. 

Second to the Nittany Lions for me is my alma mater, DII Grand Valley State University. A powerhouse for just about every collegiate sport, GVSU has darn good athletic department. They have won the LEARFIELD Directors' Cup 16 times. This award is given to the best athletic department (most successful) in each division. I am fortunate enough to have some of my closest friends as GVSU football alumni to add perspective to the life of collegiate student-athletes. The football program boasts four national championships and one of the highest winning percentages in NCAA football of any division. GVSU likely is the best DII athletics program to ever exist, starting way back (or prior) to when Brian Kelly was our head football coach.

There is nothing better than a White Out in Happy Valley or a packed Lubbers Field against Ferris -- trust me. This love for college football and athletics I believe has led me down the vocational path I am currently following.

Professionally

There's a lot to be said about who I am as a professional, but I think it's important to understand the same personality you see outside of work is typically going to be seen inside the office. I am a firm believer in being genuine, and being yourself, regardless of the context or environment. Yes, this means in a professional, appropriate manner and no, I'm not the exact same person in both settings. 

I believe in displaying a strong work ethic both at home and within the office or classroom. I don't mean "display" so that other people say, "Wow, he works hard!" While something like that is motivating, encouraging, and comforting to know that others see your work ethic, I believe working hard is simply the right thing to do. Nothing great is sustained, created, or found going through the motions. Everything in life comes from a sacrifice whether that sacrifice is being comfortable, conserving mental or physical energy, or things of that nature. Likewise, I can't expect my students to give their all on assignments, with their other teachers or professors, or with me if I am not modelling and encouraging them to work hard. Society benefits from work ethic. Things are hard, circumstances are hard; but we must work harder to reach our goals, as cliche as it is. 

I hope every workplace I enter values strong work ethic, prioritizes learning and educational success, and has individuals who think like-mindedly to that. I have been blessed that the two higher education spaces I've worked in aligning with my vocational goals (LAKER Academic Success Center at GVSU and the FedEx Student Athlete Success Center at Ole Miss) have had fantastic cultures. It is very, very evident in both places that those working in that space are doing everything in their power to aid and support the student-athletes they serve and want to be there. When it comes to what I look for in an employer, it is these two places. Places where everyone pulls their weight, "busts their butt", and does what they can to help the individual learn and receive an education to the best of their ability. 

Why Education? 

What is my ''why" and how do I view education?

The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education. - Martin Luther King Jr.

As my front page notes, I firmly believe in the transformative power of education in the lives of everyone, no matter the age. For me, I like indulging and bringing education to young adults and kids. Education does not only brings the student knowledge or skills that they will take to them to a future job, nor does it just provide learning for a topic or subject they're passionate about. Both are awesome to experience and certainly are a huge (if not majority) part of education. However, I believe education simultaneously shapes character, can build confidence, and can/will open the doors to a plethora of opportunities with the right guidance. Students should leave any class, grade, or graduate with an increased ability to think critically and provide them with the toolbox necessary for lifelong learning. 

As simply put as possible, every student I interact with, I am trying to have the most positive impact I can on their day, week, class, life, etc. That is why I chose education to begin with. Investing in education means investing into the student, believing in the student, and empowering the student. Looking back, teachers and educators are so influential in kids' lives. I can remember my favorite middle school teachers and what I looked forward to in their class. I can remember my least favorite, too. I know professors at Grand Valley whose insight and knowledge drastically helped me or sent me down a different path in life. I know teachers and professors who I know would put a smile on my face or make my entire week from one interaction. I can even name my biggest mentors I've had in education and recognize how truly blessed I have been to know and/or work with them (I'm talking to you Dad and Bill Smith).

Fact of the matter is kids need role models. This should start with their parents but through teaching at one of the largest high schools in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I have seen this is not the case for a large population of students. I have physically seen time and time again the power of my words, guidance, and support. I have the ability to develop students to have good work ethic, to behave kindly to friends (and those not friends), to grow as an individual, and to brighten their day. One of the best pieces of "feedback" I ever received from a student was in a note given to me on my last day of student teaching. It was from a freshman girl who said, "You was always so nice to me even on my worse [worst] days and thank you for that." That note is the epitome of what I aim to do and is now taped to my truck's dashboard as a daily reminder of my ability to impact kids' lives.