From Theodore Roosevelt - Comparison is the thief of joy.
/My time in high school
Attended high school in the
1980s
Overall high school experience
5/10. Made some good friends that I am close with to this day. Didn't excel at much, but didn't cause too many problems. Middle of the road. Socially awkward.
Grades in high school
A's and B's. Could have tried harder is some classes. Overextended myself in others. I took higher lanes when I shouldn't have pretty much because i wanted to fit in with peers. That shouldn't matter.
Favorite subjects
History / Social Studies
Struggled with...
Math. Was slower at it since the first grade when I was four colored folders behind the top kid in the class (he was on bright green while I was still on navy blue and had yet to complete yellow, red, orange, purple . . . . . . . ) I learned that I was like a locomotive or a big truck in subjects like math. It took me FOREVER to get going, but if I finally understood the reasoning behind it, I could then do well. I gave up on it a lot in middle school.
Favorite extracurricular
Sports / Recreation
Life since high school
“To me, being successful means...
I have not achieved these yet, but its what I picture. Relying as little on material wealth as possible. Having a few close friends, not many virtual friends. Feeling like a part of a community.”
Attended college / university at
University of Michigan
Majored in
History Major
Post-graduate education or training
No graduate degree. I have a teaching credential.
Places lived in US
California, Michigan
Current occupations / past occupations
Teacher. Tried to be a lawyer for about two seconds in the 1990s.
Industries I've worked in
- Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (e.g. Law, Accounting, Interior Design, Graphic Design, R&D, PR, Advertising, etc.)
- Educational Services
Did your education prepare you for your career or occupation?
Yes. I teach in my content area from college.
Has your education or career/occupation trajectory ever changed? How?
I used to want a graduate degree, but realized that was more for an ego boost than any tangible career goal.
A little introspection...
To me, being successful means...
I have not achieved these yet, but its what I picture. Relying as little on material wealth as possible. Having a few close friends, not many virtual friends. Feeling like a part of a community.
My definition of success has changed over time.
Ive come to accept that the ingredients for success do not follow a formula (i.e. college, marriage, children, owning a home etc.)
My greatest accomplishment to date and what I’ve learned from it
Being a part of something bigger than myself, coaching a successful sports team.
My biggest mistake or regret so far and what I’ve learned from it
Being too insular while an undergrad. I joined a fraternity and that became 75% of my existence in college. I have tried to be more consistent in my personality and not change it just to try and fit in. That is difficult to do.
An unexpected event that significantly changed my life and how it impacted me
I was raised by my sister from age eleven. It was a big adjustment for both of us. I only now am beginning to realize how frustrating that must have been for her.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Self-esteem building is over-rated
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My favorite spot in or around Palo Alto
The Duck Pond
