Brett

I grew up in Minnesota and still live here today, close to my family and grandkids, surrounded by the lakes and nature I’ve always loved. School wasn’t easy for me—not because I couldn’t do the work, but because it often came too easily, and I struggled to stay engaged. I barely graduated high school, but everything shifted when I went to the University of Minnesota Duluth. There, I joined Alpha Phi Omega, a national service fraternity, and served as a Big Brother—an experience that sparked my passion for helping young people succeed. I later transferred to St. Cloud State University to be closer to my girlfriend, who is now my wife of 34 years, and graduated magna cum laude in education with a math minor.

I’ve been shaped by incredible mentors: my mom and dad, my first principal, and a remarkable third-grade teacher who later became my colleague at an EdisonLearning school, where she and I eventually served together as national math trainers. Their belief in me—and the way they saw potential even when I didn’t—has grounded my entire career.

Over the last 30+ years, I’ve taught and coached students from around the world, including learners from Hawaii, Nevada, California, South Carolina, and even one student who completed U.S. Government while on a ship near Antarctica. Those experiences have taught me to listen first, celebrate who each learner is, and build confidence through patience, structure, and genuine connection. Outside of teaching, my life is full of reading, music, gardening, exploring nature, and spending time with my grandkids, who love astronomy, biology, mechanics, art, and anything that sparks curiosity.

Today, my life is centered around family, service, and helping young people experience those incredible “aha!” moments that change everything—and I feel truly grateful every day to continue this work.