Hi There,
I just wanted to write a little about myself so that you would know a little of my history and that you would know better who is teaching your child (or you if you are a student). I started working with youth around the age of 16 when I took a job as a lifeguard at summer camp in South Dakota. I spent a good 5 years working for the the camp there in different positions ranging from councilor to head of the water front. Each summer brought with it different challenges and new opportunities to learn, grow and reflect on what God was doing in my life. After high school and into college I stopped the whole camp worker thing and started looking for more opportunities to serve God and in different capacities. I started college thinking I wanted to go into the medical field but as I started getting involved in college programs things my outlook changed. I took an enormous leap of faith when I decided to change majors to education instead. The catalyst for this decision came when I went out after my sophomore year as a student missionary to the small island of Chuuk (formerly the Truk Islands) in the Federated States of Micronesia. There I was one of 8 college students who dedicated our lives to the mission work of teaching 250 children of that island. It was life changing and I knew that God wanted me to be involved in the ministry of education definitively. After finishing college with a bachelors in Biology Education and a minor in Chemistry I landed a job in a school on the outskirts of Minneapolis. They needed a teacher for the remainder of the school year and since I graduated in December this was a perfect opportunity to get into the field right away and start working. From there I took a full time job at Milo Adventist academy where I worked for 3 years as their principle science teacher. I also had many other hats that I wore: Student Association sponsor, gymnastics teacher, sound technician, etc. All good things must come to an end and I began looking for jobs elsewhere. After careful prayer and earnestness I took a job at Thunderbird Adventist Academy. |
Just a few pictures to show you a little of who I am.
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Thunderbird provided me with an exceptional opportunity to diversify my training and I became an Advanced Placement teacher for Biology. In my brief time there I embraced the desert lifestyle and learned to love the winters much more than the summer. But as all good things go, the job didn't work out and I lost my job due to the financial meltdown in 2008. Myself and 4 other full time teachers lost our jobs in December and had to go hunt for new jobs and/or careers. For me, I decided that I needed a little more adventure in my life so I looked abroad and found a job in Taiwan.
Taiwan was probably the biggest and best decision I could possibly make. The job, coworkers, friends, and students in Taiwan made the life of living abroad very interesting and rewarding. Even better than that, God used my setback in Arizona to move forward His plan for my life. In Taiwan I became heavily involved in student life and outreach. Setting up an entire new science lab was the first thing I needed to do to get our school up and functioning in the science area. God provided marvelously. Second, I was impressed with the need for spiritual activities and formed a student led group that started to put on Friday night services. From that the students started taking leadership and God more seriously. God led me to take the position of Chaplain - though wholly unworthy of such an honor - and He developed more substantial programs, through me, to teach the predominately Taoist and Buddhist community about the God that we serve and love. I started leading out in mission trips and maintained a very active and thriving social group centered around God.
Again, all good things change, God decided it was time for me to return to my country. After prayerful days of searching and looking around I took a job here in Alaska working for Amazing Grace Academy. It has been a challenge to readjust back to the ways of the West but I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the new family of God in Alaska. Many changes in my life have taken place here already: getting engaged and married, buying my first house, living in three different places in one year, etc. All the blessings that God has given I would not trade for the world. I look forward with anticipation to the life that God has led me to and to fulfill His will - my part - in this community.
Thank you for allowing me to be such an integral part of your child's life and I hope that God continues to bless you and I as life continually changes us into what He wants us to be.
Taiwan was probably the biggest and best decision I could possibly make. The job, coworkers, friends, and students in Taiwan made the life of living abroad very interesting and rewarding. Even better than that, God used my setback in Arizona to move forward His plan for my life. In Taiwan I became heavily involved in student life and outreach. Setting up an entire new science lab was the first thing I needed to do to get our school up and functioning in the science area. God provided marvelously. Second, I was impressed with the need for spiritual activities and formed a student led group that started to put on Friday night services. From that the students started taking leadership and God more seriously. God led me to take the position of Chaplain - though wholly unworthy of such an honor - and He developed more substantial programs, through me, to teach the predominately Taoist and Buddhist community about the God that we serve and love. I started leading out in mission trips and maintained a very active and thriving social group centered around God.
Again, all good things change, God decided it was time for me to return to my country. After prayerful days of searching and looking around I took a job here in Alaska working for Amazing Grace Academy. It has been a challenge to readjust back to the ways of the West but I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the new family of God in Alaska. Many changes in my life have taken place here already: getting engaged and married, buying my first house, living in three different places in one year, etc. All the blessings that God has given I would not trade for the world. I look forward with anticipation to the life that God has led me to and to fulfill His will - my part - in this community.
Thank you for allowing me to be such an integral part of your child's life and I hope that God continues to bless you and I as life continually changes us into what He wants us to be.