How Everything Came To Be
I first began my journey in life in northern Wisconsin. Born and raised in what we affectionately call the "Northwoods", I learned the value of hard work, loyalty, trust and teamwork. I played sports beginning in third grade and continued to do so through my senior year of high school for the Northwestern High School Tigers. It was here I decided what I wanted to do in life; what career I wanted to pursue.
Through sports, I became familiar with what an Athletic Trainer was. Our high school was fortunate enough to have ours available to us daily. Not many other schools could say that! I paid close attention to everything he did and as a teenager, I thought he had a pretty cool job! Who wouldn't want to be around athletics every day? On the academic side, I took Anatomy and Physiology as a sophomore in high school as a quarter-only class. I absolutely loved it! The following year it was offered as a full-semester class. I begged and pleaded with my guidance counselor to allow me to take the class since I would learn "twice the information", I remember telling him.
Through sports, I became familiar with what an Athletic Trainer was. Our high school was fortunate enough to have ours available to us daily. Not many other schools could say that! I paid close attention to everything he did and as a teenager, I thought he had a pretty cool job! Who wouldn't want to be around athletics every day? On the academic side, I took Anatomy and Physiology as a sophomore in high school as a quarter-only class. I absolutely loved it! The following year it was offered as a full-semester class. I begged and pleaded with my guidance counselor to allow me to take the class since I would learn "twice the information", I remember telling him.
Both getting to know my Athletic Trainer and taking Anatomy and Physiology came together my junior year when one night after a basketball game I was running barefoot in the locker room and broke my left foot. My Athletic Trainer was first on the scene not only to evaluate the injury but also to console me in my time of need.This was only the beginning of the long road ahead; a road that lasted approximately 5 months but then roared its ugly head again the following basketball season. My Athletic Trainer stuck by me and helped me through the 5 month period and again during basketball season. Previously, I had only seen him taking care of others. Now, I was the one in the position needing help. I saw his job in a completely different light. I had the opportunity to attend a week-long summer camp for Athletic Training following my junior year which essentially solidified my decision to seek out a college with a degree in Athletic Training.
After touring several Wisconsin colleges and meeting with various athletic training program directors, I decided to attend University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for athletic training. I spent 5 years there attaining a Bachelor's of Science in Athletic Training and minors in Strength and Conditioning and Food and Nutrition. I worked with several sports teams and countless athletes. I made so many friends and came away with so much knowledge. It was an experience never to be forgotten! By this time, I knew I was being true to myself and had chosen the right career.
I struggled to find a job right out of college. It was the blasted "E" word: experience. Really, I had none. Towards late July I was finally offered my first job and readily accepted it! It was a float-pool position and to think I moved 4 hours away from home for it seems a bit crazy now. However, I believe everything happens for a reason. Through this particular job, which you can view fully on my resume, I had the opportunity to work with students interested in athletic training. It was during this time I realized just how much I enjoyed teaching them and watching them actually learn and apply information. It was rather satisfying in a way. It was this experience that motivated me to pursue a higher degree in Education in hopes to formally teach students such as these one day.
Of course the story does not stop there! In September of 2012 I applied to Michigan State University and received my letter of acceptance in November, on my birthday nonetheless. Since my acceptance, I have maintained my goal to teach in an accredited athletic training program and Michigan State is helping me to achieve just that. Click here to view an array of classes, coursework and essays I have completed thus far in my graduate studies.