How a Mission Trip Changed My Life

San Miguel, 2012

Ally Ibach

At the ripe age of fourteen, no one has a clue what they are doing. Of course, you know the basics. Make good friends, ALWAYS wear a cute headband, and whatever you do- don’t be weird! In the summer of 2012, I obeyed most of these rules, but then I did something strange. Well, something that most kids at 14 would consider strange.  I went on a Mission Trip to Mexico (to San Miguel de Allende, a city located in the state of Guanajuato in central Mexico, to be more precise). The phrase “mission trip” implies a lot of things, and raises a lot of questions. Most people have no clue what a mission trip is, only the stereotypical description they believe to be true.  Holy-Rollers traveling the world trying to convert everyone to their beliefs.  I don’t blame them. I mean, I certainly did not know anyone who went on a mission trip. Mission trips are unknown, mysterious, and undeniably not your typical getaway. I soon found out; this is not the case at all.

My Mission Trip
So just to be clear, I am your average, unholy teenager going on a mission trip because my mom is a church organist (I know, that’s super weird and holy-roller-like, but bear with me.) When my mom started working at an Episcopal church the idea was daunting. I had no clue what standards or expectations little old church ladies would hold me to. Was anything required to play the role of “Organist’s kid”? The answer is nothing out of the ordinary. I was cute and nice to my elders, wore appropriate clothing…that’s about it. I knew I wanted to make friends and, no offense to the old church ladies, but they weren’t my crowd. When my mom suggested I join the church youth group I would have never believed my life was about to change forever.
 
Not only did I meet my best friend that day (fulfilling the first requirement of being a fourteen-year old girl; Make good friends!) I realized I really like helping people.

Our group wanted to do something more adventurous than help local Salvation Army groups. We wanted to travel. Our Youth Group leader worked with another Episcopal church in San Miguel, Guanajuato and in no time we had plane tickets, a place to stay, community projects, and a decent understanding of Spanish. Before I knew it, it was time. I packed all my summer clothes and cute headbands (fulfilling the second rule of being a fourteen-year-old). All the necessities of the trip were accounted for, but we had no clue what we were doing.
 
San Miguel is a beautiful, safe city in Mexico. It’s not a tourist destination, so we truly felt part of the community the second we arrived. The photo at the top is one I took upon arrival.

The vibe of this city is fun and relaxing. We experienced warm, beautiful weather, went shopping, ate the most delicious food I have ever had, and made lasting memories together. We were so fortunate to be in this beautiful city.

On our second day of the trip, we started our real mission work. We worked at a non-profit pre-school for kids that lived about twenty minutes away from the city harbor, pictured above. The school is run by a woman named Patricia. We were only here for a week, compared to Patricia who has been single-handedly running this non-profit charity preschool for four years. She has dedicated the rest of her adult life to creating this school and helping the children who desperately need her services. The school was a head-start summer program for children who were in need, to encourage their success throughout grades K-12; and beyond. These 3, 4 and 5-year-old children lived in the compo. They lived in poverty, in tiny, frail homes, on dirt floors. For many children, the donated meal they received on weekdays at noon (in school) was the only meal they would receive that day. Talk about a reality check. Here we are, American kids who all live in furnished homes with air conditioning, who never worry if their next meal will arrive, trying to connect with these Latin American children, living in poverty that we will never understand.

This was much more than volunteering for my youth group. We needed to help them in every way possible. My biggest concern was relating to the kids. We were from entirely different walks of life. At a rudimentary level, we did not even speak the same language. And, as any foreign language student will tell you; you think you know a second language until you have a conversation with a native speaker. So here we were, Monday, the first day of school. I am an awkward 14-year-old “gringa” with braces, trying to make a difference.

I came into the school, knowing where these children came from and how they lived, but I forgot all that the second I started playing with them. They were just kids. Not Latin American, not South American, not in poverty, or well-off. I almost forgot that we spoke a different language, because the language we all knew, was simply having fun. We painted with them, read them stories, and helped them put on a play. Every day was a new adventure with them. Every day, language and lifestyle mattered less. No matter what walks of life these kids came from; I knew I was helping them learn and achieve new things every day! The greatest lesson I learned? I cannot claim that I changed their lives, but they truly changed mine with their acceptance and kindness. They didn’t see an awkward 14-year-old gringo with braces; they saw a friend.

Of course, you cannot forget these children’s predicaments. These thoughts arose multiple times throughout the trip. Every night I slept in a comfortable bed, in a house filled with friends; they were sleeping on a crowded dirt floor. Every night I was served a hot meal; while they were hungry. I had never been so angry at the sight of someone wasting food as I was during that week.  With privilege comes responsibly, it is our duty to help those who need us and our resources. Mission trips are not about being a ‘holy-roller,' they are about helping people. I donated my time and love to these kids for five days, and it changed me forever.

When people ask me what I did on the mission trip, I  want to respond to the more important question, “what did I do afterwards?” It’s been five years since my trip to San Miguel. I would not trade the experience I had that week in 2012 for anything. If you ever get the opportunity to help others, do it. Do something out of the ordinary, go on a mission trip and help others thrive in their own community, religion, and culture. Anyone can help change the world, one mission trip at a time. Oh, and as always, stay weird.

How to Recharge Over Summer Break

Beth Hedrick 

Ahhh, it’s the end of another very busy school year. It’s the end of meeting your student's needs, effectively managing a full classroom day in and day out, complying to all of the various policies of the school, paperwork, more paperwork, eating lunch in twenty minutes, holding your bladder, and, oh yeah, teaching amazing content to your learners. Just thinking of all of this can be a bit overwhelming. One thing is for sure; it is crucial to take time for yourself completely separate from the school-life.

Love Yourself a Little More
Taking time for you and only you is essential in order to clear your mind. Take a few hours a day to do something you love to do, such as going outside and taking a long walk, reading a good novel, napping, going to your local café and enjoying a latte, or catching up with that series on Netflix. I live in a very small town, so I enjoy walking around town and stopping at the local Country Store (yes, we have a country store) to get an ice cream cone! We also have a lot of small town happenings, such as bands that play on certain days, art shows, and fun events. I enjoy going either alone or with my family, and it is so nice to not worry about rushing home to do lesson plans!

Go Somewhere
Begin planning a vacation, even if it is just for a few days, well before break. I always find myself dreaming of my next vacation around testing time in the spring. If you are on a budget, use this time to visit a friend or relative that lives elsewhere. Just getting out of town and spending time with the ones you love, no matter where you go, will help you let go of everything and renew your mind.

That Second Job…
Many teachers, including me, have a part-time summer job. This allows me to not stress so much during the actual school year when it comes to expenses. Try to find a part-time summer job in a different setting, away from kids (I recommend this).

Create a Serene Space
If you are on a budget, and are unable to take a vacation, think positive. Create an area that you can relax in. I decorated my back deck with string lights, comfy chairs, and a place to put my feet up and relax in the evening. Right off my deck, I have a hammock and a fire pit in my yard. This is the perfect setting for evening gatherings with friends and is a cost-friendly way to unwind.

Have a Movie Night
I have several friends who are also teachers. We absolutely love movie night! We usually do it on a weeknight, just because we can! There is nothing more satisfying than having movie night on a Wednesday, knowing we don’t have to go to school the next day! We pick a friend’s house, pick a movie, and stay up late eating snacks. To add to the fun, sometimes we plug in the laptop, hook up the speakers, and watch the movie outside on my back deck (my serene space). And again, just because we can!

Relish Family
Taking time for family is an ideal way to relax and make memories. If you are a busy teacher, family time during the school year may be exclusive to weekends, but not every weekend. Summer break is the ideal time to spend time together. My boys are grown; one is in college, and one will be a senior in high school. Since the college fella is home, we enjoy doing things as a family. My husband is also a teacher, and it is not uncommon for him to randomly say, on a Tuesday around late morning, “Let’s go to lunch!” It is so nice to be able to go out to eat, actually get to eat for more than twenty minutes, and enjoy each other’s company. We also enjoy stopping at the drive-in (yes, we have that in our tiny town as well), getting milkshakes, and going for a drive. We live along the mountains, so sometimes we drive up to the Blue Ridge Parkway to sit among the overlook, and just hang out.

Everyone has their own way of recharging over the break. No matter what you do to clear your mind, be sure to take the opportunity for yourself and do things that you love. Think of the activities that you just don’t have the time for during the school year and go for it! When the new school year rolls around, you will find yourself reflecting on the things you did and will smile a big smile. 


Beth Hedrick has been educating students for 22 years. She teaches in a rural southwest Virginia community that values the education of every student. She is the mother of two boys, Aaron and Landon, and is married to Todd. 

She is an advocate for Autism Awareness, as her son Landon has Asperger’s Syndrome. She has served on her community and school system’s autism support team. Beth enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her Basset Hound, Lenny. She also likes to read, write, blog, and travel in the summer months.

Saying Goodbye to Another School Year

By Beth Hedrick

Only teachers can understand the bond they have with their students and how they feel at the end of the school year. There are many things that take place during the year, day in and day out, and during those events of every single day, bonds are formed. When the last day of school arrives, in order to ease the empty, and sometimes gut-wrenching feeling within me, I tell myself that I am not saying goodbye permanently. I tell myself that somewhere, I am in my student’s memories and will continue to be, just as they are in mine. I also tell myself that one day, perhaps even years from now, something will occur in their life that will give them a fleeting memory of me and what I taught them. I also help ease the separation by thinking about what I learned from them. When I become sad, I think about how their future is so bright; I mean, look at all of the things they taught me!  Thinking this way really helps ease the transition of that last day in my classroom to when they say goodbye at the last bell. And these life lessons are ones I will never forget!

That Goodness is in the Minds of the Young

I teach middle school students, and when I tell people this, especially those who aren’t in the education profession, they look at me like a deer in headlights. They look at me like, are you sane? Or, how are you smiling? But here’s the thing: middle school students are not that evil, I promise. I have taught the younger grades in the past, and the level of enjoyment, and challenges, is about the same, just in different ways. One thing is true: children of all ages need love, respect, and nurturing. Middle school students, at least I tell myself, are just bigger in size! They have such goodness in their hearts, even when they act out in a way that makes you wonder. I have learned from them that goodness lies within, no matter what, and that they are really sincere and sympathetic underneath all of the layers.

Oh, the Empathy

Some students need to be taught empathy, but I have come to believe (this is my opinion) that you really cannot make someone be empathetic. No matter how much you talk to someone about trying to understand how s/he would feel if s/he were the one having an issue, sometimes this someone can just look at you with that blank stare and shrug those shoulders. I get it. Some kids just don’t have this element of emotional intelligence. However, most of them do. And it is absolutely amazing how much kids will do for one another in order to lift each other up. It really is. They don’t judge; they don’t make excuses as to why they shouldn’t help, they just do it. And they feel good about it.

There are Countless Opinions and Beliefs

Oh, the minds of children! Yes, they have some serious opinions and beliefs, and yes, they make sense! They sometimes make much more sense than adults, I have found, as some of their views on issues are quite astounding. When I look back on my school year, I noticed that things that may not really matter to us, really matter to them. And vice-versa. Take, for instance, fairness. As adults, when we are treated unfairly, we may voice our opinion on it and get over it. Not middle school students. They are very, very passionate about fairness, and if they feel that something isn’t “fair” anywhere in the classroom or in the world, they will be passionate about their opinion. Which brings us to opinions, as middle school students have very strong opinions about many aspects of life. They truly amaze me at the way they see things in so many different perspectives. I think about those beliefs and opinions all the time, and they really have had an impact on me. Oh, the minds of preteens!

Their Resilience

My students taught me that there is always a silver lining. It is incredible how a student, who has the true definition of a “bad home life” has such resilience and positivity. A student who gets in a huge argument with their “best friend” one day can forgive and forget the next day. A student who I make so very mad because I am being “unfair” will hate me on Monday and love me Tuesday. In terms of positivity and being mentally tough, we adults can learn a lot from preteens!

I am so lucky. Not only do I spend a year teaching these students, but I also gain a vast amount of knowledge from them. Every time I think outside the box to solve a problem, I think of them and how they inspired me to do so. Every time there is an opinion in the news, I think of them and how important it is to look at all aspects of the situation before forming my own. When I am super stressed or feeling down and out, I think of them and do my very best to find a silver lining and rise above any situation. So, when they leave that final day, I don’t look at it as if I will never see them again, because I will. They will live on within me in the form of memories and different perspectives on life. After twenty-two years of teaching I know one thing: they have taught me more than I will ever know.

Beth Hedrick has been educating students for 22 years. She teaches in a rural southwest Virginia community that values the education of every student. She is the mother of two boys, Aaron and Landon, and is married to Todd.

She is an advocate for Autism Awareness, as her son Landon has Asperger’s Syndrome. She has served on her community and school system’s autism support team. Beth enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her Basset Hound, Lenny. She also likes to read, write, blog, and travel in the summer months. 

6 Things Teachers Really Do Over Summer Vacation

Diana Eastman

Nobody gets more excited about summer vacation than teachers. After spending over 150 days lesson planning, managing a classroom, grading papers, and molding the minds of our future generation, teachers look forward to one of the biggest perks of being a teacher, summer break! So what do teachers do when they aren’t being teachers? They slowly integrate back into normal life and do the things they couldn’t do while they were creating math tests, studying standards, attending conferences and hosting parent-teacher meetings.

They Travel

Students and parents aren’t the only ones who look forward to a summer getaway once the school year is over. They finally start to plan cruises and road trips (because they had no time to plan during the school year) and pack their bags. They head out of town to bar hop, sunbathe and run to the store in their pajamas without the fear of seeing a student. They love their students, but they also love the opportunity to act like an adult without worrying about being spotte. However, even when they travel, they never really turn off their “teacher brain”. They are always taking the new things they experience and figuring out how they can make an epic lesson out of it for those students they’re trying so hard to avoid.

They Work

It’s no secret that teaching is not on the list of highest paid professions, and many teachers use the summer to make a little side money while they’re off. Some choose to tutor, work as a camp counselor, coach sports or sign up to teach summer school, while others pick summer jobs that are much different than teaching, such as seasonal retail jobs or starting their own small business.

They Read

Summer offers teachers an opportunity to get lost in a good book, and if they’re really lucky, they can sit on the beach or poolside and dive into a book that is not on the reading level of their students. They can actually immerse themselves in the plot and characters of their favorite novel without stopping to create test questions or find examples of metaphors or alliteration in the text. Some teachers use the summer to read up on the latest self –help books for teachers to get them mentally prepared for the vigorous school year ahead. Spending time reading personal development books is a popular way for teachers to come back to the school year a better teacher than they were the year before.

They Go To School

Some teachers feel so at home in the educational setting that they go to school in the summer, but this time as the student. Many teachers spend their summer break working towards a Masters or Doctorate degree. What better time to study and read (on the beach even?!) than summer break? Some people take classes on weekends and during the evenings to earn their degree, but since teachers spend that time lesson planning, buying supplies, and grading homework, the summer is the best time for higher education.

They Sleep

Without a classroom full of eager minds waiting on them each morning, teachers hit the snooze button and enjoy a few extra hours of sleep during the summer. They nap in the middle of the day, they stay up late enjoying time with their friends, and they give themselves the gift of sleeping in every once in a while. With all the work teachers put in during the school year, it only makes sense that they rest and recharge.

They Go To The Bathroom

Yep. You read that right. Free of the restricting time restraints that limit bathroom access for teachers, summer is a time when teachers experience what most other professionals take for granted; the ability to go to the bathroom whenever they want. 10:05 on a Tuesday might normally be their reading block which means they can’t leave their classroom unattended to answer nature’s call, but during the summer, teachers go when they need to go and are excited about it.

Summer is a time for teachers to take a deep breath, reconnect with friends and family they didn’t see much of during the school year, and take a mental break. And even if they’re relaxing on the beach, sleeping in or traveling the country, a little piece of them is always thinking about and planning how they can make the next 180 school days a success.  

Learning Opportunities for the Summer

Ryan Crowley

The continuous tag game between parents and teachers leaves the parents “it” for almost the next three months. During this time, educators and school personnel are taking a much-needed break from the kids. Parents are going to be left scratching their heads and trying to figure out a way to keep their child learning during the summer, instead of being glued to Facebook, video games, junk food, and the television.    

As a teacher, I can attest firsthand, children that do not continue their education during the summer will come back to school lacking in the skills that they just had acquired the school year earlier. Parents need to continue educating their child as much as possible. After all, parents are the number one teacher for their kids. They spend much more time with them than anyone else ever will. They have a vested interest in their child doing well in school and life. Plus, as you get older, hopefully that child will turn into a successful adult and help take care of you rather than entering you in a retirement home! 

Music Lessons 
It seems every adult that does not play a musical instrument wishes they could. As a kid, they might not appreciate having music lessons every week, but as they get older, the coolness factor goes through the roof for someone having the ability to play a song on an instrument. During the summer, there is quite a bit of downtime for your child. It is the perfect opportunity to introduce them to a music teacher that will help inspire their love for music! 

Cooking Class 
Young children love learning about cooking actual food instead of putting Pop Tarts in the toaster. One of the most exciting times during the school year is when I have a chef come in and make some delectable delicacies with the students. The kids go crazy for it! 

Check your local junior college’s website. There are usually some sort of cooking classes offered through them. Dropping them off at grandma’s to help her bake some goodies would be a fun day of learning as well. Or you could be one of the most amazing parents ever and contact a local establishment and ask if they would be interested in doing a cooking class for children. I know that through prior experience, quite a few of them will say yes. It will bring in perhaps a lifetime of business through their doors! 

Family Field Trips 
School field trips usually happen once or twice a year for educational purposes. Students climb on a bus and visit somewhere that will enlighten them. Family field trips are much the same, minus the big, yellow school bus. Head out somewhere fun and informative that will have the kids enjoy learning, and allow them to spend some much-needed family time together. 

Museums are always a quality choice, and they usually have more than enough exhibits to entertain the children. Going to the zoo will have the students acquiring knowledge about animals that they may never have received from a textbook. Visiting a park will teach the kids about nature and various elements of science. There are many extraordinary family field trips that can be taken, you are only limited by your imagination! 

Start a Rock Collection 
One of the most popular Science lessons of the school year has to do with minerals and rocks. All of a sudden, each student turns into a gemologist and starts to bring in every weird rock they come across. Many of them end up purchasing rock tumblers that shine and gloss their new find. By the end of the year, it appears every child has their own mini rock collection. Start them off a bit earlier and visit a few places near home that will have them finding some unique minerals that they can show their class during the next school year! 

Make a Classroom in Your Home 
Students love to have their own desk at school. It makes them feel a bit like a grownup. But do you know what they love even more? Their own desk at home! Or better yet, their own small schoolroom complete with a whiteboard, bookshelves, a couple of student desks for their younger siblings or cousins, a laptop so they can do their studying, and a small printer to print off their masterpieces. You may inspire them to become an actual teacher someday! The perfect time to construct this little classroom is during the summer. 

Family Reading Time 
As a primary teacher, I have heard many parent confessions stating sheepishly that they didn't have their child read at all during the summer. This greatly affects not only their learning but their overall reading skills. Literacy is part of every content area, so why would you take off three months from having your child read? Would you let your child take three months off from brushing their teeth? Of course not! Both would hurt your child, but in different ways. Parents that leave all parts of education up to the classroom teacher are participating in their failure.

Every night, set a time aside for family reading. Each member of the family is to be reading their own book during this time, parents included. All electronic devices are turned off. Even if it is only thirty minutes a night, this will inspire the child to hopefully start reading on their own as an act of enjoyment, especially when they see their own parents reading during this time. Trips to the library once a week will help with completing this nightly activity! 

Daily Math Problems 
Once again, I have heard parents proclaim that they did not work on math skills at all during the summer. Later, they wonder how their child is scoring in the lower ten percent of grade level math achievement two months down the road. There is a direct correlation between these two items. If your child practices math during the summer, they will achieve better results during the school year.

Give your child math worksheets to complete every week. There are numerous websites that allow you to print out free worksheets on almost every conceivable math skill that your child will need. And don’t worry if your own math skills are lacking, they have the answer key for these sheets as well. You could even call up your school and ask to see the Math textbook for the upcoming school year. This will show exactly what skills they need to be working on in preparation during the summer!

Google Docs 
Lastly, have your child write reports on various topics during the summer. This will help them with their own research skills and turn them into better writers. I would highly recommend the free Google Docs app for this part of their summer learning. Students love using technology, and Google Docs is something that they will be using throughout their education. If you have already created a small classroom for your child like I wrote about up above, purchasing a Chromebook is quite a bit less expensive than a full laptop. Plus, it will have everything they need. 

Either through Google Docs or Google Slides, there are templates where it is correctly formatted for children to do book reports, write letters, and various other presentations. Once again, this is something that the child will use during their whole education. It is much easier for the child to learn when an adult is sitting down with them one-on-one and showing them how to use the free apps than trying to figure it all out in a classroom of 25 needy students. Your child’s future teachers will greatly appreciate this! 

Plan to Succeed
The easy thing to do during the summer is to let kids keep themselves busy with their friends and electronic devices. While this is not such a bad thing to do, everything needs to be done in moderation. Take an active role in their education. Summertime is when a child can do some of their most important learning in life! They are not constrained by grades and classroom rules. The world is their classroom! They won’t be young forever. Step into the role of being an active parent and lead your child to a productive summer and a productive life!

Ryan Crawley is a writer/educator from Illinois. Born into a family of eleven, he spent most of his childhood watching old reruns of Three's Company and Happy Days. He has his Masters in Reading and Literacy, and is a certified Reading Specialist. He spends his free time writing, working out, and hanging with his two dogs Flair and Smoosh Face.

Highlights of the School Year

Ryan Crawley

There’s the old saying that a person may forget what you said, but will never forget how you made them feel. This quote corresponds intricately for the relationship between teachers and their students. It’s strange how some of the most memorable days of the school year have nothing to do with learning in the classroom. Throw all the textbooks out the window during these special days of the school year listed below. Students won’t be becoming book smart on these noteworthy days, instead, they will be learning life skills to use throughout the rest of their lives.

First Day of School
Students are never again as quiet as they are on the first day of school. They are a bit nervous, trying to gauge how much homework they may have during the year. But they are also practicing one of life’s main skills. Students are learning how to size someone up properly. They are laying low and waiting for any signs that a teacher may give that will provide them important information for later on.

As an Education major, you always hear in your classes how you are not to smile at a kid until the second half of the school year. If you grin at the wrong one, they are going to eat you alive. The first day of the school year, I would guess, is sort of like a first day in prison. You don’t want to come off too nice, and then have to constantly look over your shoulder the rest of your time.

School Picture Day
I’m not sure if I am in favor of school uniforms, but when my students dress up for their school picture, they actually behave better. Primary students show up all decked out. The boys wear more expensive suits than I own, and the girls are in stylish dresses that you might see out of a fashion magazine. They learn that when you dress nicely, your behavior should correspond appropriately. It’s a good lesson to learn early in life.

Grandparents Day
Grandparents day is one of my least favorites during the year. The grandparents show up at the school at like 7am because they wake up very early. I don't even get to the school until 8AM! Also, because the senior citizens are there, I now have twice as many people trying to tell me pointless stories that go on forever. (The grandparents and the students.)

Trying to walk through the hallways on this day is almost impossible. It reminds me of the movie Night of the Living Dead, but I believe those zombies actually moved a bit quicker. Strangely enough, as I try to maneuver around them, I avoid eye contact and any quick movements, too. I say this all very lovingly though, since my own parents are both around 80 now.

The talent the students are acquiring this day, though, is respecting their elders. Even if their own grandparents are not able to make it, they still know to show respect to the ones that do. I’ve had more than one kid every year quietly tell me they are quite scared of the old people, then ask what they should do. I tell them to quietly listen halfway and nod their head while picturing themselves in a happy place, just like I do with them.

Teacher Appreciation Week
This week of school lets students and their parents show how much they value you as their child’s mentor and educator. That’s what Teacher Appreciation Week is said to be about, however I think it is more of an opportunity for families to give their teacher things that they couldn’t sell at their last garage sale. I am usually shown I am appreciated by receiving plastic flowers, a bag of M&Ms, and a drawing of some sort that is covered in maple syrup.

Last Day of School
Spending a school year teaching challenging students tends to leave an almost unbreakable bond between the teacher and his or her pupils. It is probably similar to surviving a war together. A lifelong relationship is formed, and after a bit of time, only the good memories remain.

Finally, it is okay to smile, ease up on some of the worst behaving students, and know that you have done your best. Students finally appreciate you during the last day of school. They say they wish you would teach them next year as well. Of course, the teacher lies then, too, and proclaims they wish they could teach them all for another year. The kids are learning their final lesson of the school year, and one of the most important. Don’t ever burn bridges, even if you are sure you will never cross them again.

Ryan Crawley is a writer/educator from Illinois. Born into a family of eleven, he spent most of his childhood watching old reruns of Three's Company and Happy Days. He has his Masters in Reading and Literacy, and is a certified Reading Specialist. He spends his free time writing, working out, and hanging with his two dogs Flair and Smoosh Face.