It all started the summer of 2005 on a trip to Alaska. The summer of my 40th birthday, a friend told me I HAD to snorkel in Ketchikan, AK. I thought she was crazy; but she reassured me it was AWESOME! Needless to say, IT WAS AWESOME!!! The only problem was, I couldn't free dive down far enough to see the sea life up close. The guides (PADI Professionals) would go down and bring some up to us so we could hold and touch them (sea cucumbers and sea stars). While snorkeling, I saw so much sea life that I wanted to be closer to it.
I new the only way I was going to be able to see more was to get scuba certified. So in 2007, I walked into Underwater Connection and said, "Sign me up!" A week after my Open Water Certification I wanted MORE options! So within two weeks I was certified as an Advanced Open Water Diver. I began to see a whole new journey of exploration and travel. So before the end of the year, I got two more certifications - Deep Diver and Enriched Air Nitrox. I then ventured off to the Caribbean for my first real ocean dives. I dove the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. It was INCREDIBLE!!! I saw my first sea turtle and seahorse close-up. And now I firmly believe: If you learn to dive in Wisconsin and prepare yourself well; you can dive anywhere.
In 2008 I had a new goal - to achieve Master Diver. I accomplished Night Diver and Underwater Navigator; and in 2009, I finished Equipment Specialist, Rescue Diver, and Search & Recovery Diver. That year I also dove the Mexican Riviera; met a lot of new dive friends/buddies, and joined a local Dive Club. I couldn't help myself- I signed up for Divemaster training. With a trip to Curacao and St. Lucia in 2010 and working with different Instructors from Underwater Connection; I continued diving in Wisconsin and finally accomplished the Divemaster rating May, 2011. There is no more reasoning with myself anymore. I have come to accept that I just love scuba diving, the underwater world, and what it offers. So the very same day I made Divemaster, I signed up for Instructor Development Course. I must say; if it weren't for the folks at Underwater Connection Dive Center, I know I wouldn't be as well prepared for what I was about to do. Because of John Shuder, Colin Zylka, Kira Kaufman, Mike Haynes, Ken Kessenich, and Patrick Dolinsky, I made the next step to Instructor. I now have the privilege to work side-by-side with the BEST staff in the state of Wisconsin as I look forward to added Instructor Specialty certifications and future travels.
As for the rest of my life: I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska in 1988. I worked in the corporate world as a Graphic Designer and Marketing Director for 8 years before attending Carroll College and receiving my Art Education degree in 1999. While teaching, I attended Cardinal Stritch University and received multiple Library Media certifications, Wisconsin Online Teaching Endorsement and a Masters in Instructional Technology in 2004. As a life long learner I bring a diverse background including traveling and living in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
So "Dive-In", give it a try. But be warned; my enthusiasm is contagious and your experience may just blow your mind!
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