I always like to say that my story is more common than people would like to admit.  

After I graduated high school I felt lost. I had started (and not finished) an OYAP program for precision machining, and decided it wasn't for me. I hadn't applied to any post secondary, so I was off to work. After a year of working, I went to Sheridan College for Mechanical Engineering Technology, but only stayed for one semester. I was following someone else's vision for me.

Now a college drop out, I began the long search for what I wanted to do. I worked a series of (sometimes ridiculous) jobs. Some highlights are Video store clerk (after blockbuster had gone out of business), bowling alley manager, real estate agent, and blackjack dealer. The blackjack dealer program at Durham College was a blast by the way!

Eventually I was working a labour job at an export crating company. I was primarily building shipping skids and saddles for the landing gear for the  Airbus A380 aircraft. The landing gear is made in Oakville at a shop I had visited back when I was still iin high school. A few years into this job, I met my wonderful wife! When we got home from the honeymoon we found out our first son, Felix, was on the way. Unfortunately a week before he was born, I was laid off.  The company would go under a few months later. Luckily I applied for second career funding, and was able to go back to finish my training as a Machinist. After years of hard work, I was able to pass the Red Seal test, and the company I was with quickly gave me apprentices to train, and I stepped into a supervisory role.

I quickly realized that teaching was something I loved. I did some research, and then applied to Brock University for their Bachelor of Education, Technology program. 

In August 2021 I had a really crazy week, I was offered a teaching position on a Letter of Permission, got accepted to Brock, and my second son, Oscar, was diagnosed with Autism.  A week of life changing things!

I love to tell my story, because I think it's important for students to hear about people who don't follow a straight line path. Sometimes life is full of winding roads, but it's never too late to course correct. I always say if I had stayed in that OYAP program in high school, or finished that program at Sheridan, it would have been a waste for me. I wasn't ready for it. I needed to experience my journey, to get me to where I am.

Now, I'm teaching at TA Blakelock, and having a blast!