Intro

My name is Nathan Evans and I am 30 years old and was born in LaGrande OR. I have been all over the world but I call the North West my home. I was in the US Navy for five years as a Sonar Technician on a Los Angeles class "fast attack" submarine. If you have ever seen the movie, or read the book Hunt for Red October, I was Jonesy. I have been to almost 15 different countries, an I have even been to the North Pole. I have been across the equator, circumnavigated the globe at least twice, and I slept right next to one of the tomahawk missiles that was fired during the first part of the current Gulf War. After living such an "exciting" life why would any one want to move back to Idaho and become a teacher?

Well, seeing so much can be a blessing, and a curse. I got to see some pretty amazing stuff and met some pretty amazing people, some of which I am not even allowed to talk about; but there is always a flip side to that coin. I have seen some pretty terrible things and met some pretty terrible people as well. Before I joined the Navy I lived a pretty sheltered life, never being farther east than central Idaho, and having as much culture as a house cat. I was in for an unpleasant surprise. I didn't know crap about anything I thought I did, especially people. I became a cynic. I could go on but I will save some of the story telling for later.

One of the biggest reasons I want to become a teacher is I don't want to be one of those people that complain about the world and the way it is, and not do anything about it. And one of the best ways to change the world is to help ensure our future, and our future is our kids. Right now I am planning to become a middle school math and science teacher, I have about a year left with enough math credits to have an endorsement in math, and I am one class short of an endorsement in science. One of my main focus' will be on a safe learning environment. Math is a subject that more and more kids are struggling with, thus becoming very resistant to taking risks or asking questions about it. So if they are comfortable in my class maybe math can become a sought after class instead of a dreaded one.