Why do I teach?

I am an Electrical Engineering with 20 years’ experience.  I am the primary inventor on two US patents: US Patent # 9,270,246, US Patent # 9,455,571 and a published author.  A parent asked me at a Meet the Teacher Night “What are you doing here?”  This is a fair question since I am a successful engineer.  Below is why I teach!

During the 1st Persian Gulf War, I realized I needed to do something with my life.  I could not continue on my present course.  I thought, “If I get through this, then I want to make an impact in the world.”  Since I was repairing radios and radars, I decided to learn how to design them.  My plan was to develop some gizmo(s) that would benefit the world.  I decided to earn my Electrical Engineering degree.  I have worked on some amazing engineering projects throughout my career, but these projects fell short of the goal I set: To Be a Difference Maker!

In 2004, I started coaching a youth football team.  As I grew as a coach, I began coaching spring select football.  In 2008, I coached an 8th-grade young man named Tre.  We had a great season that year!  When he entered HS, I attended many of his football games and other activities throughout his 4 years at Frisco Heritage.  When Tre graduated, he posted a video thanking everyone who helped him throughout his life.  Tre said some great things about my coaching abilities.  But, that is not what captured my attention.  What he said in the video regarding my influence in his life caused me to reexamine the direction of mine.

Tre made me realize I was making a difference in the world just not how I originally planned.  I was making a positive impact through the relationships I built with my players.  I have attended their weddings and baby showers.  I have shared in their successes and failures.  I found more joy helping others achieve their goals.  I discovered I reached my goals by helping them achieve theirs.

Several talk radio hosts have suggested that engineers and scientists teach math and science to our HS students.  After hearing Tre’s and the radio hosts’ comments, I decided to get my Mathematics 8-12 Texas teaching certification.  Select “Start with the Why” icon above to listen to his comments