My name is Jarod Ballardo and I've been married to my wife Silvia for seven years. I have one son who I named after my father
John who is 4 years old. I've been fishing for as long as I can remember. Some of my first memories growing up were of
camping trips with my family. I was immediately mesmerized by the water and its inhabitants.
As a student I struggled in school, Junior High School was the worst for me as I had a hard time finding my place. Often I would
daydream in class counting the minutes until the school day was over so that I could run home, grab my tackle and head to the
nearest pond. I was never a trouble maker in school, I just lacked focus. Upon entering high school I was told by a summer
school teacher that I would never graduate high school. If it wasn't for extracurricular activities I probably would of never graduated
high school. I ended up excelling in sports and along the way was inspired by several great coaches.
After high school I followed some friends to San Joaquin Delta College, after my first year of junior college I was terribly bored. An
Army Recruiter called one day and offered to show me the world so off I went. I attended basic training in South Carolina and my
job training took place in Georgia. My first duty station was in Kitzingen, Germany. While stationed in Germany I noticed all my
fellow soldiers wasting their time partying every night and realized that I had to set some goals for myself if I planned on getting
out of the military. I decided then that I wanted to leave the military as a sergeant, with at least an Associates Degree, and without
debt.
I immediately looked into the schooling offered around our post and found out that our neighboring post, 7 miles away offered
classes through The University of Maryland at night. I immediately enrolled and two nights a week for two years I would pedal my
bike to and from class through rain, sleet, and snow. When my unit was training out in the field my platoon sergeant at the time
made sure that I be brought back for testing. Often, I would enter my classes with full camo on only to jump right back in the
Hummer and head back out into the field once done.
After two years in Germany I was relocated to Ft. Huachuca, Az for my final two years. By that time I had only a few classes left to
finish my A.A. Degree. I was able to finish my A.A. Degree in General Studies and had accomplished one out of those three
goals. I then went before the promotion board and was sent to Ft. Bliss Texas in order to attend the Non Commissioned Officers
Academy. Before long I had been promoted to Sergeant after only three years and had also zeroed all my accounts before exiting
the Army in 1997.
Once out of the Army I attended and graduated from CSU Stanislaus with a B.A. in Physical Education. I then attended National
University where I received my teaching credential and shortly after was hired to teach Physical Education at August Knodt Jr.
School. Recently, I completed my Masters Degree in Education from National University which I never thought was possible.
The fishing club was an idea I came up with several years ago as a way to provide a place for students to come and meet with
others and at the same time learn how to fish. I couldn't be happier with the results as I think I have established a club that has
been instrumental in the lives of several past and present members.
Jarod Ballardo
John who is 4 years old. I've been fishing for as long as I can remember. Some of my first memories growing up were of
camping trips with my family. I was immediately mesmerized by the water and its inhabitants.
As a student I struggled in school, Junior High School was the worst for me as I had a hard time finding my place. Often I would
daydream in class counting the minutes until the school day was over so that I could run home, grab my tackle and head to the
nearest pond. I was never a trouble maker in school, I just lacked focus. Upon entering high school I was told by a summer
school teacher that I would never graduate high school. If it wasn't for extracurricular activities I probably would of never graduated
high school. I ended up excelling in sports and along the way was inspired by several great coaches.
After high school I followed some friends to San Joaquin Delta College, after my first year of junior college I was terribly bored. An
Army Recruiter called one day and offered to show me the world so off I went. I attended basic training in South Carolina and my
job training took place in Georgia. My first duty station was in Kitzingen, Germany. While stationed in Germany I noticed all my
fellow soldiers wasting their time partying every night and realized that I had to set some goals for myself if I planned on getting
out of the military. I decided then that I wanted to leave the military as a sergeant, with at least an Associates Degree, and without
debt.
I immediately looked into the schooling offered around our post and found out that our neighboring post, 7 miles away offered
classes through The University of Maryland at night. I immediately enrolled and two nights a week for two years I would pedal my
bike to and from class through rain, sleet, and snow. When my unit was training out in the field my platoon sergeant at the time
made sure that I be brought back for testing. Often, I would enter my classes with full camo on only to jump right back in the
Hummer and head back out into the field once done.
After two years in Germany I was relocated to Ft. Huachuca, Az for my final two years. By that time I had only a few classes left to
finish my A.A. Degree. I was able to finish my A.A. Degree in General Studies and had accomplished one out of those three
goals. I then went before the promotion board and was sent to Ft. Bliss Texas in order to attend the Non Commissioned Officers
Academy. Before long I had been promoted to Sergeant after only three years and had also zeroed all my accounts before exiting
the Army in 1997.
Once out of the Army I attended and graduated from CSU Stanislaus with a B.A. in Physical Education. I then attended National
University where I received my teaching credential and shortly after was hired to teach Physical Education at August Knodt Jr.
School. Recently, I completed my Masters Degree in Education from National University which I never thought was possible.
The fishing club was an idea I came up with several years ago as a way to provide a place for students to come and meet with
others and at the same time learn how to fish. I couldn't be happier with the results as I think I have established a club that has
been instrumental in the lives of several past and present members.
Jarod Ballardo
My Photo Album
| March 10, 2007 |
Mr. Ballardo
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