Middle school PE teacher, dedicated basketball coach, and recent graduate of the College of Education, 健康 and Human Sciences (EHHS), Ramon Salinas, combines his grit for health & fitness and passion for teaching in his everyday work.

Salinas didn’t always picture himself as an educator. He tried degrees from athletic training to computer science, but these didn’t seem to fit.

“I then thought back to what I loved most in school and some of the people that influenced me to be the person I was at that moment in my life,萨利纳斯说. “I knew I wanted to be a teacher.”

As a teacher and coach in rural Idaho, Salinas strives to make a positive difference in today’s youth by following the example of his favorite teacher.

“当先生. Colunga left my junior year of high school I actually cried,” he said. “I realized how much of an impact this one person had on my life, and I wanted to be that positive influence for kids one day, 先生这样的. 科隆加适合我.”

萨利纳斯参加了 Society of 健康 and Physical Education (SHAPE) conference shortly before graduating from EHHS. The perpetual Elsie Krey and Richard I. 马修斯养老, as well as the SHAPE Idaho Travel Grant, gave Salinas and his peers the chance to attend. 

“Students had the opportunity to give workshops and get our name out there in the physical and health education communities,萨利纳斯说. “It was at the most recent conference I was able to network with my now co-worker and get my job.”

“I realized how much of an impact this one person had on my life, and I wanted to be that positive influence for kids one day...”

凯特·伊根博士.D., EHHS Physical Education Professor, says jobs and student teaching placements are the result of these opportunities made possible by 捐赠资金.

“The monies have allowed my students to travel to multiple national conferences with me; Nashville, TN, 坦帕, FL, 今年春天, 盐湖城,伊根说. “The money has also allowed me to take students to three state conferences in Pocatello, 博伊西, 和刘易斯顿.”

Salinas is grateful for the opportunities made possible by professors, 捐赠资金, 会议与环境健康安全 Department of 运动科学. “I am proud to be a graduate of the College of Education, 健康 and Human Sciences because it is unique from other programs in the state,萨利纳斯说. “I feel like this department really set me up for success in my career.”