My teaching career began back in 2009, after I earned my certificate to teach secondary science education in grades 6 -12. Based on my coursework and endorsement tests, I was qualified to teach: general science, physical science, earth & space science, environmental science, biology, chemistry, physics, social science, business marketing and management, and computer education. 

     I had decided to pursue teaching because I really loved the content of science, and I loved breaking it down and leading others through it. I had assumed I’d end up teaching upper level high school, but I stumbled into my first true full time position teaching 7th grade gifted science and social studies in Joliet, Illinois.

To my surprise, I really really enjoyed working with that younger age group. I became the Chair of our Science Department, got involved in writing curriculum, joined the team adapting the new Next Generation Science Standards for our district, and earned a Master’s degree in Biological Science Education. By 2015, I was awarded teacher of the year…but I had a daughter on the way, and was sometimes working 80 hour workweeks while pursuing another Master’s in Mathematics Education. It was time for a change.

     I ended up finding a position teaching programming, robotics, and 3D computer aided design at a junior high in Woodridge, Illinois. The position offered a lot of novelty, and since most of the grading was done in class, I was able to work a more reasonable workweek. I was able to use the extra time to complete my Math degree, and then picked up a Bachelor’s in Accounting (largely for fun, and as something adjacent to finance and economics, but faster and easier to get.)

     In 2018, we were joined by a son, and I was once again looking to make some changes to keep things interesting. Various other life changes followed. My wife and I invested in her own Veterinary clinic, and I was spending a lot of time working on the business. I even started looking for teaching positions related to business and accounting, since it was a passion of mine.

Then the pandemic hit. I found myself trapped at home with a 2 and 4 year old while also trying to teach remotely about 180 students. It…wasn’t great. Somewhat idly, I took to looking through the listings of businesses for sale and dreaming of an alternative.

     And then I found Treland. It was a perfect fit: a business for a teacher. I’ve always been dissatisfied teaching a limited range of subjects, and I’ve learned I really enjoy a lot of the aspects of being a business owner.

Now, I get to spend my time making a huge difference for a smaller group of kids. It is definitely a trade-off, but it is one I’m enjoying! I get to teach all levels of math and science, plus finance, accounting, economics, civics and history! Variety truly is the spice of life.