Tomorrow is the first day with my latest crop of students. I began my teaching career twenty-four years ago and assumed it would be a short-term gig. I never experienced "the calling," an intrinsic desire to devote myself to serving children... to teach. Yet, here I sit with less than twenty-four hours to go, and I am excited to return to the classroom.

The Old Birch, Minnesota
Nikon D810 + Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5G

To those who ask, I claim to be a fortunate man. Married to the love of my life nearly three decades, I have been a researcher, traveler and photographer... all of which now fall under the category of avocation rather than career.

Ferns and Fog, Minnesota
Nikon D810 + Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5G

I didn't find teaching, it found me. Many years later, I now know that this thing I do is not "just a job." I have embraced the profession and the responsibility that accompanies the vocation. Undervalued by some and overvalued by others, I continue to search for ways to motivate and inspire.

Forest Fog, Minnesota
Nikon D810 + Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5G

So as I share this gallery of images made during my last week of "freedom," I both mourn and celebrate the passing of summer. The moniker of photographer/naturalist/traveler is laid to sleep for the winter and, with chalk in hand, I am ready to do that thing that I do best.