Growing up in the mid-west gives you time to run and play outside for most of the year. As a child, I lived to be outside and active. That love of the outdoors and activity has brought me to the sport of triathlon in the wonderful state of Texas. I still have most of the year to be out in the fresh air, but have to stay in now for the heat, and not the cold as I did in Iowa. Exercise helps me maintain the energy level I need to be an enthusiastic teacher. Teaching also gives me the opportunity to have a little extra training time between extra workshops in the summer. Training does get difficult as the school year winds down and when the year starts up again in August. A fatigued triathlete/teacher and young children do not go hand in hand. I love my role as a teacher shaping the curious mind of tomorrow and triathlete, encouraging them to reach for their goals whatever they might be.