Better to have tried and failed than to never have even tried.  If you give up your dreams, you die.

I have no intention of giving up on my dreams. I served in the United States Navy for over 20 years. During that time, I frequently conducted training sessions on a variety of topics, including: mathematics, engineering, logic, statistics, and oceanography. I always knew that after I retired, I wanted my second career to be in education. I have been a high school teacher and an adjunct college professor for the past several years. I know my high school algebra teacher would be thrilled to know that I teach AP Calculus and AP Statistics. But, perhaps, the bigger challenge, and therefore, the bigger reward, is teaching so-called “mathematically challenged” students. These folks usually have a knee-jerk reaction of fear and dread whenever mathematics is mentioned. Teaching them the practical applications of mathematics in their lives is both a joyful and a trying experience for me, and, hopefully, a relief for most of them.

My reasons for pursuing a Ph.D. in education are: to be a better, more well-rounded educator; to be able to give more to my community; to contribute to the bank of knowledge; to find resources for publication of scholarly work; and, to be the best me I can be. I know that I have growth yet to be cultivated. There is so much more for me to learn. The rigor and high expectations of doctoral study will set me on the path to successful realization of my dream. The Ph.D. itself is not the fulfillment of the dream but rather the vehicle to enable me to get there. While I realize that there are long days and nights ahead, I relish both the challenge and the journey.

I anticipate that this work will provide me with an enhanced sense of purpose. I sincerely want to collaborate with others and share my passions for education, especially mathematical education. Admittedly, I have much to learn. I also have much to give. Twenty years of military service has sent me to many parts of the world and allowed me to interact and learn from many different cultures. I have led an interesting life so far and expect to continue that trend. I love to share my experiences and to learn from the experiences of others, even if we disagree. As my father wisely told me, if two people agree on everything, one of them is not thinking. I think that one of them is not learning , too. We learn so much from other points of view.

My dream is still incomplete. The desire to complete doctoral work at George Mason is at the forefront of my daily thinking these days. I have for so long encouraged my students to take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities available to them. “Go out and get what you want,” I tell them. “Get the education you want and do the work which you are drawn to do. Build the life YOU want. The only one who can stop you from fulfilling your dreams is you, by not doing anything.” Now, my words ring in my ears. I cannot let my dreams die. That would be my fault and something which I could not rationalize away. I cannot allow myself to go through life wondering what could have been when I have the opportunity to decide how it is going to be.

Beyond the classroom, I am also sincerely interested in educational research. I am deeply troubled by the level of mathematical skill displayed by high school and college students. This is not the case in other countries. I am interested in mapping out strategies to counteract this trend and to dig into the causes of this phenomenon. I have my suspicions but I want to do concrete work on this subject.

The joys of discovery await me and I am chomping at the bit. I hope to discover even beyond the breadth of my imagination and hopes, through my formal studies, research, collaboration and experience.

Never esteem anything as of advantage to you which will make you break your word or lose your self-respect.
Marcus Aurelius

There are easier programs out there, but just having Ph.D. after my name is not my goal. A Ph.D. from George Mason University means something important to me. I respect myself and want a degree from a high quality institution.