I started my teaching career in Columbia, Missouri. I taught middle school social studies for six years. I also coached basketball for three of those years. I moved on to teach and coach at the High School level in a small town called Harrisburg, Missouri. My next position was an Assessment Coordinator at the University of Missouri. This job included the opportunity to teach two College level courses which were designed to prepare pupils for their student teaching assignments. I learned so much from each of these teaching positions and feel lucky to have had these opportunities; I often use the lessons learned in my most important teaching position as a father.