Mike Ridgeman

My name is Mike Ridgeman. I was a teacher. I was a public school teacher. That was my career.

My name is Mike Ridgeman. I was a teacher. I was a public school teacher. That was my career.

My name is Mike Ridgeman. I was a teacher. I was a public school teacher. That was my career.

Did a master's degree at Fairfield University in Connecticut. Taught some more English. and then applied to and was accepted to the doctorate program at Penn State University. The goal was get that degree so I have the credential necessary to teach at a university level. That's what I thought I was doing.

Did a master's degree at Fairfield University in Connecticut. Taught some more English. and then applied to and was accepted to the doctorate program at Penn State University. The goal was get that degree so I have the credential necessary to teach at a university level. That's what I thought I was doing.

Did a master's degree at Fairfield University in Connecticut. Taught some more English. and then applied to and was accepted to the doctorate program at Penn State University. The goal was get that degree so I have the credential necessary to teach at a university level. That's what I thought I was doing.

I began adjuncting immediately. I think there were four local universities that I was adjuncting in, and I'm like, oh, well, okay, here we go. You know, one of these is bound to turn into something full-time.

I began adjuncting immediately. I think there were four local universities that I was adjuncting in, and I'm like, oh, well, okay, here we go. You know, one of these is bound to turn into something full-time.

I began adjuncting immediately. I think there were four local universities that I was adjuncting in, and I'm like, oh, well, okay, here we go. You know, one of these is bound to turn into something full-time.

When you get a PhD from Penn State, you feel like you're going to go somewhere, you know? It just, it never did. And then you wonder, like, is it me? Did I do something wrong?

When you get a PhD from Penn State, you feel like you're going to go somewhere, you know? It just, it never did. And then you wonder, like, is it me? Did I do something wrong?

When you get a PhD from Penn State, you feel like you're going to go somewhere, you know? It just, it never did. And then you wonder, like, is it me? Did I do something wrong?

You know, I had a little come-to-Jesus meeting with my wife, and she kind of, I don't remember her exact words, but her message was, I know you've given 20 years to this and have put in a lot of time and effort to making a career for yourself in education, but this family cannot carry on not knowing how much or if you're going to work from semester to semester.

You know, I had a little come-to-Jesus meeting with my wife, and she kind of, I don't remember her exact words, but her message was, I know you've given 20 years to this and have put in a lot of time and effort to making a career for yourself in education, but this family cannot carry on not knowing how much or if you're going to work from semester to semester.

You know, I had a little come-to-Jesus meeting with my wife, and she kind of, I don't remember her exact words, but her message was, I know you've given 20 years to this and have put in a lot of time and effort to making a career for yourself in education, but this family cannot carry on not knowing how much or if you're going to work from semester to semester.

And she's like, we need you to have, you know, for lack of a better phrase, a real job. You know, and God bless her for having the guts to say that to me. I'm sure that was not easy for her. That idea you have that, okay, I'm gonna have a fulfilling career on a campus where there are, you know, creative, thoughtful people with new ideas and just this vibrancy and this enthusiasm for learning.

And she's like, we need you to have, you know, for lack of a better phrase, a real job. You know, and God bless her for having the guts to say that to me. I'm sure that was not easy for her. That idea you have that, okay, I'm gonna have a fulfilling career on a campus where there are, you know, creative, thoughtful people with new ideas and just this vibrancy and this enthusiasm for learning.

And she's like, we need you to have, you know, for lack of a better phrase, a real job. You know, and God bless her for having the guts to say that to me. I'm sure that was not easy for her. That idea you have that, okay, I'm gonna have a fulfilling career on a campus where there are, you know, creative, thoughtful people with new ideas and just this vibrancy and this enthusiasm for learning.

I'm gonna get to be around that my whole life. And then you gotta flip the switch and find something else to do.

I'm gonna get to be around that my whole life. And then you gotta flip the switch and find something else to do.