About+me

I am originally from Oshkosh, where I grew up and graduated from Oshkosh West High School in 1987. I played football, wrestled and played the trombone in the band and jazz band, while maintaining good grades and taking honors math courses. I was also a volunteer coach for the Oshkosh Wrestling Club during my Junior and Senior years.

After high school, I attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where I continued to wrestle, but was unsure of what career I wanted to pursue. After 1½ years, my grades were reflecting my lack of focus and direction, so I dropped out of college to join the Army (to grow up, determine what I wanted to do with my life, and for the college money).

While in the Army (1989-1992), I was stationed in Baumholder, Germany, where I was a Petroleum Supply Specialist/truck driver. I continued to wrestle while in the Army, which allowed me to travel throughout Germany, win the Army European Championships, and become a member of the All-Army wrestling team; which allowed me to train and wrestle at national tournaments throughout the U.S.

Returning to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (1992-1998), I was more focused and had goals and aspirations of becoming a math teacher. I went from nearly flunking out of college (before the Army), to receiving excellent grades (44 A’s, 7 AB’s, and 2 B’s).

I enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard (1992-2001), continued wrestling in college (1993-1994), worked 20-30 hours a week at Copp’s Food Center, and began my wrestling coaching career at Oshkosh West High School as and assistant coach (1994-1995) and a head coach (1995-1998).

I did my student teaching (1997) at Rosendale Middle School and Oshkosh West High School. I was also a resource lab aide at Oshkosh West (1998), which allowed me to work individually with students on a variety of subjects.

I graduated from college in the spring of 1998 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education; with a major in Mathematics (grades 7-12) and minors in Spanish and Coaching. I graduated with a 3.666 GPA and a total of 205 credits. I completed my Master’s degree in Professional Development from Cardinal Stritch University in 2004 with a 4.0 GPA.

I have been a Mathematics teacher and assistant wrestling coach at Franklin High School since 1998 and coached football from 1998-2001.

I have been married since June 1998 (to my wonderful wife Pamela) and we were blessed with the birth of our son, Jacob, near the end of 2001. We live in Franklin, a community that we are proud to call our home.

I am honored to have such a positive role in the lives of our youth and I know from my personal experience how important it is to set goals for yourself. By determining what we want to accomplish and knowing what we need to do to accomplish it, we realize the importance of education, and give ourselves the direction and motivation that we need to succeed.