My name is Andrew Brown and I am currently a senior at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota and will be graduating next spring. I’m an Elementary Education Major with a concentration in Social Studies and an interest in coaching.  I attended Ridgewater Community College in Willmar for 2 years, before I transferred to Gustavus to continue playing football and to pursue my career in teaching.  I grew up in central Minnesota in the small town of Winsted, which is an hour west of the Twin Cities. I was raised in a family of five with a twin brother, younger sister, mom, dad and dog Buddy. In high school I participated in football, basketball, and baseball and I was also a member of Student Council. I also volunteered in many activities around the community, such as cleaning up ditches, lakeshores and have also set up for numerous events. In my free time I enjoy playing and watching sports, fishing, watching movies, and hanging out with friends. I would describe myself as a hard-working, caring, and organized individual who is looking forward to working with kids for many years to come. I am well liked by kids and othersg and I seem to get along with everyone. I believe someone else would describe me as a funny and caring individual who seems to liven up a room when he’s around. Along with those characteristics I have great patience and creativity, which I believe are essential in teaching.

I chose Education because it has been something I have wanted to do since my senior year in high school. I have been strongly influenced by my parents who have both been involved in education their whole lives. My dad has been teaching and coaching at the high school level for 28 years now and he always seems to be liked by everyone. My mom is also involved in education she has been both an elementary school principal and a teacher. She is currently the principal of a small private elementary school in St. Michael, Minnesota. They both were key influences in my decision of becoming a teacher. My dad has influenced me the most though as I want to follow in his foot steps and be a great teacher and great coach just like him. I also want to be as well liked and known around the community just as he is.

I love working with children and have coached youth football programs for kids in grades 3-6 at St. Peter and Willmar communities. I think I would stand out from other teachers because there are very few males teaching at the elementary level and I would be a great role model for both boys and girls to look up too. I chose a concentration in Social Studies because I really enjoy it and it is a very interesting topic to me. In the future I see myself teaching at the 4^th grade level preferably at a rural location or a small suburb of the Twin Cities. I am looking forward to being a teacher, colleague, and friend to all those in the community. I also can’t wait to teach and be a positive role model for the students as I prepare them for their futures.

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