Since the time I became old enough to read, I’ve been a continuous learner. That love of learning – about people, places and things – has led me on a career path that has been varied, but always with learning, and teaching, at its core.My initial love for reading and writing would later mix with a healthy dose of listening as I pursued an undergraduate degree in journalism, and a career as a sports reporter. Along the way to that “dream,” my love of teaching and coaching became something I just could not shake. And the idea of being someone who helped others learn put me in the journalism classroom, rather than on the staff of a newspaper.For 18 great years, I combined my love of learning, listening, teaching and growing as an award-winning high school journalism educator and multi-sport coach. I was able to work in creating curriculum, in two separate school districts, to bring leadership programs to high school students at a time when these types of programs were in their infancy.When I “hit a wall” with the degree of passion I felt each morning when I woke up and prepared to spend the day in my classroom, I knew it was time for a change. And after fumbling about for a bit – working in sporting goods sales and doing a bit of writing on the side – I found my way back into a situation in which teaching and learning were at the core.The learning was largely done by me. As first an assistant manager, and then the manager, of an embroidery plant, I was learning about manufacturing and about dealing with a disparate group of employees – both at the same time.But over the seven-plus years I spent in the industry, I found myself returning to my core principles of listening, questioning, leading and believing in others as the best ways to achieve success. And the continuous learning model led me back into the “online classroom” to take Human Resources courses from Duke University at age 55.The perfect job for me, at this life stage, would be one that combines my passions for learning, listening, teaching, mentoring and spreading positivity – one person at a time. I'm hopeful that I've found that position in a return to the Sporting Goods industry with Dick's Sporting Goods!Time to go to work!