My name is Nathan L. German, but most people call me "Nate." That's what my niece Samantha calls me, anyways, so it's pretty much the name that I expect others to use as well. I'm 32 years old, single, and very, very good looking and extremely humble. Extremely.
I do not have any kids of my own, but most people know that I love children--especially babies. I have two younger brothers and a younger sister (who is also a schoolteacher.) My niece Sam is one of the loves of my life, and I treasure every second I get to spend with her. I am determined not to spoil her, but I just can't help it most of the time. My last gifts to her were some rather expensive plush dolphins that I found during an Amazon search.
Other than children, I LOVE animals. At the moment, I'm torn whether I love horses or dolphins more. Last month, I spent two weeks in Florida, and I got to swim with dolphins out in the ocean, and also at Gulf World. Dolphins are pretty much My Favorite Things.
I earned my B.S. in Liberal Studies from Excelsior College, which is to say that I earned a general degree from a college that no one has ever heard of. I earned my M.A. in Theological Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and I'm currently registering for a Homiletics class at the Liberty University School of Theology (On-Line Seminary) as well. I have been enrolled at the University of the Cumberlands since 2007, just after I graduated from Southern Seminary. I am also a Captain in the Army Reserves, and I have been in the Army's Chaplain Candidate Program since December of 2003, when I returned from a year in the Republic of Korea (where I was the battalion supply and logistics officer for the First Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment, an elite air-assault infantry unit headquartered at Camp Casey.) In August of 2010, I will officially accession to the Army Chaplain Corps as a full-fledged, fully-qualified Chaplain. The Army has been one of the biggest influences on my young life. Thanks to the Army, I have traveled to and trained at Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Knox, Kentucky; Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; Fort Lewis, Washington; Fort Myer / Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia; and on and on. I have completed the Army ROTC Advance Camp, Army Airborne School, Infantry Officers Basic Course, and most of the Chaplain Basic Officers Leadership Course.
Looking back on my life, I can't help but think that I probably should have been a veterinarian. But, like most people, I'm trying not to let my regrets get the best of me. In fact, at least once a day, I tell myself that I WILL be a veterinarian some day. I just don't know how long it will be before I can make my veterinary school dreams a reality.
In my free time, my favorite past-time is reading. I'm currently reading "Refuge in Hell: How Berlin's Jewish Hospital Outlasted the Nazis," by Daniel B. Silver. I am a huge supporter of the nation of Israel, I love reading about Jewish history--everything from the Old Testament, to the Holocaust years, to the wars, to the present and beyond. I have never visited Israel, but I hope to one day soon.
When I am not reading, I am an avid athlete and outdoorsman. I like to swim, mountain bike, and run, and I do calisthenics every day (about 1,000 push-ups every day, no joke.)
My favorite author of all time is John Grisham, and my favorite book of all time is "A Time to Kill." Incidentally, my favorite book is also my favorite movie (starring Matthew McConaughey--my favorite actor.)
I'm a genuine country boy, and like most Kentuckians and Southerners, I LOVE country music. I'm a big Johnny Cash fan, and my favorite singers include guys like Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Gary Allan, the Zac Brown Band, Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood, and others. I like all the old timers too, especially Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Jr., Merle Haggard, and Willie Nelson.
I am writing this blog in partial fulfillment of Educational Technology at the University of the Cumberlands. Whereas I feel I already have a strong grasp of technology, I am taking this class because it is required in order to garner my M.A.T. I have already taken quite a few classes at the University of the Cumberlands, and I am well on my way to becoming a full-fledged, fully-qualified teacher. I am scheduled to take the PRAXIS II on July 24, 2010, so please feel free to pray for me on that day.
I've been a teacher since April of 2005. I was a substitute teacher, a part-time middle school special education teacher, and a full-time EBD Special Education Teacher in an elementary school. My experiences have been rewarding, and I've actually enjoyed a few of the classes at the University of the Cumberlands. The last class I took was the dreaded (and mandatory) Research Methods class, and it was probably the hardest/worst class I have ever taken anywhere. I am half-way convinced that the class was designed to convince you to reconsider pursuing a Master's degree. I thought the class would never end! Fortunately, one week I actually got to work on my research paper while at a resort in Florida, editing my paper and chatting with my classmates while overlooking both the beach and the ocean.
At the moment, I am not employed ANYWHERE. I have been a teacher since April of 2005, but obviously, the current state of our economy is quite sad indeed. This past year, 2009-2010, I proved to be the best EBD Teacher that Shepherdsville Elementary has ever had, and I was able to personally witness my young students make tremendous strides forward that they had never even come close to achieving previously. In the true spirit of IDEA, I fully mainstreamed my students in regular education classrooms, and for the first time ever, my students actually worked hard and attempted to maximize their potential, if for no other reason than to get to spend some "free time" with me playing games, eating lunch, drawing, reading a book, or watching Cartoon Network for a reward. Thanks to budget cut-backs and personnel reductions, I was unceremoniously terminated at the end of the school year and the special education teacher with slightly higher seniority slid right into my spot (even though she'll be quite terrible even attempting to work with my old students.) I honestly feel that, without my influence and encouragement, some of my students may really suffer this year, even though the severest consequences may not be demonstrated for years to come. The kids that I worked with had some major issues, and students like that all-too-frequently prove to be statistics, ending up being drug and alcohol abusers and/or locked up in prison.
Anyways, I'm hoping to find a good job this summer for the 2010-2011 school year. I may or may not stay in Bullitt County, and I've already invested quite a bit of time working on trying to get a job in Hardin County. I actually tried to apply for a job in Florida (my favorite state), but unfortunately, my current certification in Kentucky isn't good enough. Maybe someday.
Thanks so much for reading my first blog. I look forward to getting to know everyone throughout the duration of this brief summer class, and I'm confident that we'll benefit from learning together. Take care, God bless, and Happy Independence Day!
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