I was awarded a baseball scholarship in 1994 and attended one year of college in Kansas. I had the same desire then as I do now; to teach high school English and coach high school baseball. I will never forget the day I chose to walk away.

I woke up one morning and realized it all made no sense to me. As clear as I could hear the radio alarm playing on my nightstand, I heard this question in my head; "How can I ever hope to teach kids, when I am just a kid myself?" This question haunted me for days. I realized that if I stayed on course, I would be 23 years old and hoping to teach high school students. I knew right then I had to walk away. The realist in me was acknowledging that I had a lot of growing up to do before I would be ready to teach, and impact, students lives. So I left, went back to Texas, attended a trade school to become a mechanic, got married, had children, and lived life.

Thirteen years later, I was ready. I had so much on my heart for the youth around me. I had been working with youth groups, coaching youth sports, officiating youth sports, and volunteering at all of my children's school functions. Without much warning my life took a turn I was not expecting, and in that moment, I realized it was time for me to return to school. It seemed impossible from the outside; full time work and full time parent, but I knew I must.

I do not want to be a mediocre teacher, in any respect, and if I had pursued this in 1995, I do not believe I would have been anything more than mediocre. Living life, raising children, experiencing success and failure, all of it makes me a better teacher. I know now that I will be an amazing teacher, coach, and mentor.

C.S. Lewis once said; "Experience, the most brutal of teachers, but you learn, my God do you learn". I think this best sums up my thoughts..

Best to all,

Jeremy