The 2025-2026 school year will be my 6th year at Flasher Public School, but there will be a first this year ... having my son in class. Below are 7 "Firsts" that may help you know a little bit more about me.

#1 - First Mascot: Hornet. Over the course of my scholarly life time I've been a Hornet (Gladstone), Shamrock (St. Patrick's), Trailblazer (Lewis & Clark), Brave (Mandan), Mystic (Bismarck State), Blue Hawk (Dickinson State), Bison (North Dakota State), and an online Viking (Valley City State). I've taught Bobcats (Prairie Learning Center), Ranchers (Dakota Memorial School),  Bulldogs (Flasher), and Braves (Mandan summer school).

#2 - First Hole In One: Hole #5 (Par 3 180 Yards) @ Louse Creek Country Club in Flasher on July 23, 2013. I hit a 5 hybrid that landed inches from the hole and went in! Noah (5 month old son) and Neil were my witnesses. I would go on to get a second hole in one the following year (same course, same club, different hole ... with the same witnesses).

#3 - First Non Family True Love: Bert & Ernie. I loved Sesame Street as a toddler. This was the beginning to my lifetime of learning. I wonder how they've made over 4,000 episodes when there's only 10 digits and 26 letters. 

#4 - First Drink Of Coffee: It's never happened. I plan to keep it that way ... Hetzel stubbornness.

#5 - First Non Elementary Math Teacher: Mr. Bardell. He taught me Pre-Algebra at the old Mandan Middle School. I remember we had a daily grade and if you forgot your assignment you got a "0". I had a few zeroes that year. Mr. Bardell was a Cowboys fan, which ironically during that school year is the last time the Broncos lost to the Cowboys, 30 years ago!!!

#6 - First Denver Broncos game I Attended In Person: November 23, 1996. Broncos 21. Vikings 17. My dad (not scared of heights like I am), grandpa (ordered chicken fried steak every meal), and I went to Minneapolis to watch them play. Ed McCaffrey caught a TD with 19 seconds left to win. Of course, Elway (334 yards, 2 TD) was the the MVP ... at least in my eyes. Coincidentally or not, the Vikings haven't won a Super Bowl since that game :)

#7 - First "Big Boy" Job Interview: Prairie Learning Center. Having gone to high school in Mandan and living in Fargo at that time, my first impressions of Flasher were not good (no cell reception, very few businesses) ... but they had a golf course. Over time, Flasher has become a great place to raise a family (Noah 7th grade and Lily 6th grade) and am appreciative of the life I get to live with them and my wife (Tina - special ed para). Go Bulldogs!!!