The Academy
Role: Principal
Courses I teach:
Introductory Course
Personal 101
Courses I assist with:
Meditation 101
Formal Education
The University of Wisconsin - River Falls
Bachelor of Science – Liberal Arts in Physics 2004
The University of Texas at Austin
Master of Science in Applied Physics 2007
I'm a physicist by training, but currently work at in the US space program where I'm learning to be more of an engineer. My time is spent becoming a certified instructor, teaching flight controllers and astronauts about thermal and electrical systems.
Teaching Experience
As I stated above, I'm an instructor with the space program. In addition to the training and experience I gain through work, I've also gained experience in other situations.
2.5 years experience successfully teaching experimental physics to engineering students
3 months experience teaching physical science concepts to non-science students
in a logical and easily reproducible manner
3 months experience mentoring and training physics tutors in effective tutoring methods
9 months tutoring physics to students online from grades 9 to college freshman.
Other Work Experience
Before returning to finish my education I spent just under 2 years in the Marine Corps where I was an Aviation Ground Support Equipment electrician. While my time in the Corps didn't work out as I expected, I'm still very proud of being a Marine. What I learned by becoming a Marine has been invaluable in my life and Jedi path.
Martial Arts Experience
I first started taking American Karate when I was 8. I took to it quite naturally, earning my black belt at age 13. I taught classes while continuing my training until I left for college at 18. When I returned to college I started Shotokan Karate, as I wanted the more traditional style of training lacking in American Karate. While not self defense related, I learned a lot about posture and power. Shotokan teaches a person how to maximize the power their body produces, which was quite interesting.
At this point in my life, my spirituality was growing and changing so that I found the hard styles of martial arts less appealing. I took a short 3 week course in Aikido for self defense and found it quite interesting. During my final year of graduate school I finally began training in Seidokan Aikido and really enjoyed it. I trained for about a year, learning a lot even though I couldn't train consistently due to my schedule.
Currently I'm without a style due to the constraints in my life. I know I won't be gone from martial arts for long, however, as they are interesting to me and support balance in my life.
My Jedi Path
I first found the Jedi path in 1996, while still in high school. Unfortunately there wasn't a Jedi Realism presence, just role playing that I found. I spent some time learning proper breathing and chatting with someone who helped me learn to view the world a bit differently before leaving for college. I returned to the Jedi path in 2002 after an eye opening field trip. I wandered a round for a bit, discovering there was a vast difference between what I thought people would know and what they actually knew. However, I quickly found a mentor who remains a friend today who provided a lot of crucial information in that first year or so. I also spent time training at the Jedi Temple under Chris-tien Jinn, who runs the Blue Group here. (It's nice when things come full circle!) I also trained at Fatum Operandi and the Jedi Academy. Eventually I found myself becoming a counselor at the Jedi Academy, and then the Jedi Realist Academy. I returned to the Jedi Academy a few years ago, first running the Solo and Traditional training, and eventually becoming Principal, which I serve as today.
In my private training I focus on many areas. My biggest area of study and growth has been spiritual, which has allowed an immense amount of growth in a relatively short amount of time. I also work with energy, meditation, and healing though never with the consistency it truly requires. In the end, I know a bit about a lot of things and am working on deepening my understanding of other areas.