I teach outdoor education courses for undergraduate students and run a U of I College of Education program called School of the Wild that provides elementary and middle school students with a 4- to 5-day learning experience in their local parks. I had a very blue-collar upbringing. No one in my family had ever gone to college. In fact, a few didn't make it through high school. Sports (especially wrestling) pretty much saved me and sent me down the path that eventually led to where I'm at today. There were plenty of bumps in the road but persistence paid off. I never intended (or wanted) to pursue a Masters Degree or a PhD, but mentors challenged my thinking and urged me to keep going.