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I am anchor
Meet Your Neighbor: Aaron Vogel
Posted
Name: Aaron Vogel
Town/Neighborhood: Glendale/Hillcrest
What I’m excited about & why: School starting back up. I’m a teacher and have missed the daily interaction with students.
What I like most about living here: I love Mountain Ridge High School. I’ve always wanted to work here and am now in my fourth year teaching at Ridge. I also love hiking at Thunderbird Park, which is right across the street from the high school.
Changes I’d like to see in this area: I would love to see even more dedicated bike lanes, and more education funding.
Favorite community cause & why: Funding for education, because I’m a teacher.
When & why I moved here: I moved to Arizona in 2014 because my wife, Becky, is from Arizona. She works as the Fine Arts Specialist for the Phoenix Union High School District.
Where I lived before & why I left: I lived in Fort Collins, Colorado, and moved to be closer to my wife’s family.
My family: My wife, Becky, 3-year old daughter Abby and a baby boy on the way, due this September.
What I do: Band Director at Mountain Ridge High School and the Wind Orchestra conductor for the Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestras. I also play tuba in a local church band.
What I like most about what I do: Interacting with some of the best people on the planet.
If I had picked a different occupation, it might have been: No “plan B.” I’ve always wanted to be a Band Director.
My interests and hobbies: Music, I love to play the tuba! I also like gardening, cooking, and triathlon sports when healthy.
The best and/or worst time in my life: Best time: Having more time at home this spring with my daughter. Worst time recently: Not being able to go places and interact with others this spring. Worst time all time: Going through a separation and divorce. I have a heart for folks that are going through this.
My best/worst habits: Best habit: I’m an early riser and love being productive. Worst habit: cracking my neck (ouch!)
The trait(s) I admire in others: Discipline, commitment, hard work.
People who inspired me (and how): My band directors: Lori Ludlum, Bob Goldman, Bruce Yurko, Mark Fonder, Steve Peterson and Allan McMurray. They inspired me to be my very best. Personally, my biggest inspiration has been Jonathan Wiggins, the pastor of Resurrection Fellowship in Loveland, Colorado.
My guiding philosophy: Success at home first.
My advice to today’s youth: Find your passion and go after it with everything you’ve got. Go “all in, all the time” and don’t settle for anything less than your best. Also, be nice to each other!
