My first professional experience with leadership probably took place in college, where I was a Nike Golf Camp Coach at Carmel Mountain Country Club. I was 19 years old and was offered a position to teach Junior Golfers. I spent the entire summer aiding the junior golfers in perfecting all aspects of their golf game. I was so successful that I was offered the management position and lead instructor at The Lake Hodges Driving Range when I was 21.
While I loved working at the golf course and loved to teach golf lessons, my true desire was to become a firefighter. At the age of 24, I attended a Fire Fighter One Academy in Ramona. I had one more year left at San Diego State and decided that I could manage school, academy and work.
The fire service is para military style command and training. Unbeknown to me, I happen to excel in this environment. At first I was an Engine Company Leader in the fire academy overseeing four to five people. In a short time, I had earned the rank of Academy Chief and was responsible for 32 people and the day to day operations of the fire academy. If cadets were struggling, it was up to me to help guide them and coach them to success. Under my command, we graduated 28 cadets and I did so well, I was offered a job an instructor for the future fire academies.
Over the past few years, I have taught numerous Fire Academies within Southern California. I earned the rank of Training Captain in Ramona and was in charge of all training for several fire stations. While managing a duty crew of 4 to 8 people and all day to day station operations, I was able to lead the other crews in training, polishing and fine tuning their firefighting and emergency medical response skills.
In 2012/2013, I was asked by a fellow Fire Captain to help the Fire Science Program at Lincoln High School. I enjoyed developing a curriculum and helping the students, but I felt that the school limited the programs potential. In August of 2013, I was fortunate to meet with Dr. Fisher of Health Sciences High Middle College. Dr. Fisher was looking for a new Internship program and was excited about my ideas. The program I proposed offered a full fire academy experience, with para military style training to high school students. In September, the program was introduced to HSHMC and I had 43 students.
When I was in Fire Academy, the lead instructor was a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer and he based the program on Honor, Courage and Commitment. While I believe these are great values, I wanted my programs three core values to transcend all jobs and all walks of life. I base my Fire Technology curriculum on three core values: Communication, Teamwork and Discipline. I know and strongly believe that these three core values will help support students throughout their life.
I was offered a full time Instructor position at HSHMC after the first semester. I use the Fire program to help create better students and it had shown. Others from the school had seen the improvements in the students, as did the parents. While I can help save lives and conserve property as a firefighter, I had found that I can positively influence more lives as an Instructor at HSHMC. As a result, I retired from active fire fighting duties and now just focus on growing my program and supporting the community.
Currently, I am working on expanding the HSHMC Fire Academy, creating a partnership with Poway Fire and Miramar College. Through the hard work and dedication of my students, we are now able to train at the multi million dollar Poway training facility. In addition, my seniors are now able to obtain college credit for Fire Technology 101. In addition,
I am an American Heart Association certified BLS instructor and as of this year, I have successfully certified 220 people at HSHMC.
I want to continue to expand the program and offer the experience to all students, as I use fire Technology to teach life skills and better prepare students for the future.
In regard to my own personal growth, this Masters program is a blessing. I look forward to obtaining my masters and eventually my Administration Credential and becoming a more active voice in the school community.
While I loved working at the golf course and loved to teach golf lessons, my true desire was to become a firefighter. At the age of 24, I attended a Fire Fighter One Academy in Ramona. I had one more year left at San Diego State and decided that I could manage school, academy and work.
The fire service is para military style command and training. Unbeknown to me, I happen to excel in this environment. At first I was an Engine Company Leader in the fire academy overseeing four to five people. In a short time, I had earned the rank of Academy Chief and was responsible for 32 people and the day to day operations of the fire academy. If cadets were struggling, it was up to me to help guide them and coach them to success. Under my command, we graduated 28 cadets and I did so well, I was offered a job an instructor for the future fire academies.
Over the past few years, I have taught numerous Fire Academies within Southern California. I earned the rank of Training Captain in Ramona and was in charge of all training for several fire stations. While managing a duty crew of 4 to 8 people and all day to day station operations, I was able to lead the other crews in training, polishing and fine tuning their firefighting and emergency medical response skills.
In 2012/2013, I was asked by a fellow Fire Captain to help the Fire Science Program at Lincoln High School. I enjoyed developing a curriculum and helping the students, but I felt that the school limited the programs potential. In August of 2013, I was fortunate to meet with Dr. Fisher of Health Sciences High Middle College. Dr. Fisher was looking for a new Internship program and was excited about my ideas. The program I proposed offered a full fire academy experience, with para military style training to high school students. In September, the program was introduced to HSHMC and I had 43 students.
When I was in Fire Academy, the lead instructor was a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer and he based the program on Honor, Courage and Commitment. While I believe these are great values, I wanted my programs three core values to transcend all jobs and all walks of life. I base my Fire Technology curriculum on three core values: Communication, Teamwork and Discipline. I know and strongly believe that these three core values will help support students throughout their life.
I was offered a full time Instructor position at HSHMC after the first semester. I use the Fire program to help create better students and it had shown. Others from the school had seen the improvements in the students, as did the parents. While I can help save lives and conserve property as a firefighter, I had found that I can positively influence more lives as an Instructor at HSHMC. As a result, I retired from active fire fighting duties and now just focus on growing my program and supporting the community.
Currently, I am working on expanding the HSHMC Fire Academy, creating a partnership with Poway Fire and Miramar College. Through the hard work and dedication of my students, we are now able to train at the multi million dollar Poway training facility. In addition, my seniors are now able to obtain college credit for Fire Technology 101. In addition,
I am an American Heart Association certified BLS instructor and as of this year, I have successfully certified 220 people at HSHMC.
I want to continue to expand the program and offer the experience to all students, as I use fire Technology to teach life skills and better prepare students for the future.
In regard to my own personal growth, this Masters program is a blessing. I look forward to obtaining my masters and eventually my Administration Credential and becoming a more active voice in the school community.