My Personal History
I've taken the scenic route in my life.
I earned an undergraduate degree in Computer Science at the University of Minnesota, where I also participated in track and cross country. After graduation, I moved to Massachusetts, where I spent about five years working as a software engineer at Data General in Westboro (subject of the book Soul Of A New Machine
by Tracy Kidder). I quickly tired of spending all my time fixing other people's bugs, so I quit.
I spent the next three years volunteering and working at
Friendly House, a shelter for homeless families. The work was challenging, but also rewarding. During this time I helped start SS. Francis and Therese Catholic Worker
in Worcester. I also earned a graduate degree in Religious Studies from
Assumption College. I think it compliments my Computer Science degree rather nicely! You can read my thesis: Money Changes Everything.
I returned to Minnesota in 1988 to work on my teaching license at the University of St. Thomas. I also spent three years working at Arlington House, an emergency shelter for adolescents. I taught for one year at Ely Memorial High School, and then I found my way to Mounds Park Academy, where I taught for 29 years before retiring in 2021.