Mr. Bailey's Home Page
By Bryan Bailey
I grew up a military brat, son of Major Robert M. Bailey, an Air Force officer. Due
to the nature of the beast, we moved frequently, stopping briefly in California,
where I was born, Utah, South Dakota, Arizona, Belgium (that's in Europe!), and
Montana. I moved ten times between those states before my twelfth birthday.
Somehow we ended up in Montana where I did most of my growing up.
After graduating from CMR High School, in Great Falls, MT, I chose to follow in
the family tradition and attended Brigham Young University to further my
education. I had fun my first year, and learned much about what it means to have
a belief system and standing up for those beliefs. Beyond the moral learning
I gained a deep rooted pride in being a COUGAR! I still enjoy seeing them beat
up on the cowboys.
After my first year of study I chose to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, as you may have guessed. It was during this time that
I gained an appreciation for teaching and interacting with those who thirst after
learning. This time was full of learning experiences for me. I now love food, as
many of you may also have guessed! Philippine cuisine has a tendency to do
that to an individual. I love filipino food, but some of it was rather strange. To the
list of foods eaten, and perhaps not to ever eat again, I can add dog, cat, rat, bat,
chicken feet, dinuguan (fried blood), bagoong (rotted fish), and Balut (it's not as
bad as it looks!).
When I returned home, twenty pounds lighter (from the worms!), I returned to
BYU and continued my education. I loved learning so much I changed my major
from Biology to Religious Studies, back to Biology, to Zoology, to English. In the
process, I learned that I truly love literature and have a gift for writing. That said,
I did the only thing one could do upon the realization that they love literature:
I managed a landscaping company, then became a Phlebotomist for the
American Red Cross, and a dispatcher for the City of Great Falls, MT. I then
made the switch to back to teaching and attended the University of Great Falls,
earning a Masters Degree in Teaching. The rest is history!
Through all of my indecision and wandering, the rock I stand on is my family. I
met my wife at BYU in my third year, and about my 4th major. She helped me
navigate the waters and make something of myself. We were married in 2003
and now have a wonderful family: Carson, Landon, Kennedy, and Liam. I love my
time with them and try to do all those things we love as much as possible. I am
working hard to understand that we all need to have a little faith in something. My
family has helped me realize that things work out! They always work out!
To contact Mr. Bailey, email him at:
bbailey@hotsprings1.org
or call Hot Springs County High School 864-6511 ext.679
| Practical English | English II |
