A Special Thanks

As I moved along in my education (and life), I found that it was especially necessary to thank those who have assisted me in some way during my journey. Too often people who have made a profound effect on other's lives go unnoticed, so the very least I can do is give a short public recognition to their care for my well-being. A short list is below, but there are many more who have helped shape me to be who I am today. To all those listed and not listed,

THANK YOU!

 

Teachers

Helen Chambers - Day after day during my 4th and 5th grade years and beyond she kept me motivated for school (even though I was a brat) and I enjoyed her company often even after school was out.

Donna Godfrey - Got me hooked on math and intellectual competitions, which I still have great interests in today.

Chris Murray - Planted the seed of physics in my head. You can blame him for my love for the fabulous science and I can only hope to emit the same amount of energy in my classroom!

Robin Bailey - Enseñado me la lengua de español en una entusiástico manera y motivado me de continuar mi aprendiendo a través de vida

Marilyn Schmidt - Even though I disliked the english subject, she made me think critically and apply myself even when I hated to.

Dan Dugger - Made math interesting again for me after a few years of down time as well as kept me focused on my goals.

Greg Bothun - I'm sure he views me as a slacker, but he taught me to love astronomy and astrophysics and made me think more than I ever thought I could. Although my research wasn't as successful as we both thought I would be, I learned much more than I could have about subjects relating to supernova light curves than the actual subject.

Dean Livelybrooks - Gave me opportunities in teaching and volunteering that I never dreamed of as well as guiding my education through college.

Lisa Livelybrooks - Provided sound advice during times of questioning as well as showing me that teaching goofy can still mean teaching a controlled classroom.

Chris Ferguson - Introduced me to the idea that even though not everything is going perfect, things will work out in the end (and there is always an end).

Mark Nystrom - Showed me many different ways to look at teaching and labs that I never even considered and gave sound advice on numerous activities and thoughts.

Mike Hodgert - Inspired me to work hard in every way possible and gave me the tools and knowledge to succeed.

Betsy Halpern - Gave ideas and redirected my knowledge into teaching techniques (even the biology stuff can be adapted across domains) in many different ways.

Glen Martz - Gave me the advice I need to succeed in today's education job market and an outlook on the future which I wanted to hear.

 

Coaches

Dave Don - Not only coached sports that I played in (basketball and soccer), but also was brave enough to give life long lessons to 5th graders!

Paul Baumer - Made me love sports more than I knew and helped foster friendships that I will always have.

Tony Butler - showed me the business involved in sports and other aspects.

 

Friends/Other

Sean Gayner - LAN party anyone? Between the two of us, I'm not sure how many networks we created in middle school, high school, and college.

Chris Wiesemann - Was and is able to redirect my computer knowledge as well as life knowledge and often says things that need to be said but others won't say.

John Rankin - Worked with me on numerous assignments in high school as well as being a friend during during many times of need.

Pete Erschen - Was able to provide me with logical and reasonable advice during the turbulent first few years of college and taught me how to deal with all kinds of varieties of conflict.

Keith Semmel - co-worker and friend, taught me how to work in a team and enjoy and appreciate co-workers ideas, knowledge, and advice.

Jack Rose - Truly made me believe that I can do whatever I want and helped me believe in myself in all areas.

Wes Girardi - While being extremely goofy, gave great feedback when I made the numerous mistakes I've made.

Seth Tauriainen - Friend, roommate, teammate, and classmate (I might be forgetting something). He kept me focused on all items of my life and was a great source of all kinds of inspiration.

Tim McCarthy - Taught me that one man can make such a difference in so many people's hearts just by being himself and caring for others, all while being someone placed in a completely different culture than he grew up in.

Jay Miller - Goof-ball of the year that got me hooked on reffing and the aspects related to it. Also showed me how to switch from goof-ball mode to serious mode seamlessly.

 

 

Family

Dad - Taught me the ins and outs of all kinds of community interactions and how to treat each person with respect and dignity. Also taught me that there are many different ways to look at every situation, but the first one to look at afterwards is "What did you learn?"

Mom - Gave me the care and nurturing, not to mention support, that makes me beam with pride when I talk about you with others.

Sara - Laid ground of achievement that made me push myself to the limits in many different areas (and gives me something to refer to when I talk about success stories!)

Chief - Provided me with the energy, love, and care whenever I needed him.