What inspired you to get into the field of education?:
I got into education because I wanted to do my part in assuring that kids had an experience in K-12 that would prepare them for life after their formal education. This goal stemmed from the fact that I did rather well in my K-12 schooling only to struggle immensely once I reached college. I went into college thinking I could repeat what I did in high school and then walk out of college with a 3.0 like I did in high school. This plan did not work, my high school habits, or the lack thereof, didn't help me in college, and I would like to do whatever I can to make sure that students at Polaris are earning their diplomas. I "got" a diploma, but I'm not sure if I earned one, and this was not a good set-up for success afterwards.
I was also inspired by my high school counselor. He helped me through some pretty rough times as a teen and I wanted to do the same for others. As a result I went into the counseling field with the goal of becoming a counselor myself.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?:
1) Seeing the personal, academic and professional growth of students and staff
2) Doing things differently, yet getting good results on traditional measures
3) Helping others solve problems
General background information (years in education, degree(s), Universities/Colleges attended):
BA Psychology Colorado State 1991
MEd Counseling Colorado State 1997
Principal Licensure Colorado State 2000
Interests/Hobbies:
Alpine skiing, golf, basketball, lifting weight, canoeing, guitar, attending music concerts, playing hackey sac and spending time with my wife and two daughters (27 & 22).
Thought Provoking Quote:
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”
― Viktor E. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning